Former Governors Urge Bipartisanship, Civility at Forum - Articles

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Posted by: Azya Thornton on Oct 6, 2025

Former Tennessee Govs. Bill Haslam and Phil Bredesen emphasized the need for civil discourse and bipartisan cooperation during a Sept. 30 policy forum hosted by ThinkTennessee at the Music City Center in Nashville. Haslam and Bresden, who co-host the podcast “You Might Be Right,” discussed the importance of compromise in policymaking and reflected on lessons from their time in office, crediting the state’s progress in education to sustained collaboration across administrations. According to the Nashville Post, both also highlighted the key role of local governments in economic development. The event brought together state and local leaders from government, business and nonprofit sectors for discussions on housing, workforce development, transportation and childcare. Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Stuart McWhorter, who recently was appointed deputy governor also participated in the forum.