Gov. Ned McWherter says he will appoint Harlan Mathews, a veteran state government official, to serve out the final two years of the term of Sen. Albert Gore, who will resign to become vice president.
Gore, 44, plans to resign his Senate seat on Jan. 2, and he will be sworn in as Bill Clinton's vice president on Jan. 20.McWherter essentially appointed Mathews to a political caretaking position since the 65-year-old state official has no plans to run when the full six-year Senate term is on the Nov. 8, 1994, ballot.
Without naming anyone, McWherter said Monday he had been approached by several people who wanted the appointment to replace Gore, who was first elected to the Senate in 1984.
"My appointment of Harlan Mathews to fill the seat for two years gives all of those candidates an equal opportunity to present their qualifications to the voters of Tennessee," McWherter said.
Mathews has served as deputy to McWherter since January 1987 and previously was secretary of the state Cabinet.