Sundquist not a delegate to GOP National Convention

Although Sundquist’s name was on a list circulated to the Tennessee Republican Executive Committee before its Feb. 28 delegate appointments, his name wasn’t on the final list, said committee member Kirk Huddleston of Knoxville.

Sundquist told The Knoxville News-Sentinel he requested that his name be withdrawn.

“I decided it’s not worth arguing over or campaigning for. I told David (Kustoff) not to put my name up,” Sundquist said.

Kustoff, who lives in Memphis, is chairman of the state campaign to re-elect President Bush.

Sundquist, who now lives in Blount County, said he and wife, Martha, still may attend the convention.

“I haven’t decided,” he said.

Sundquist is a former Memphis congressman. He served as governor from 1995 to 2003 and angered some Republicans by making an unsuccessful push for a state income tax.

Sundquist’s first convention in 1972 was as national chairman of Young Republicans. In 1976 and in 1980, he had official convention roles, he said.

From 1984 through 2000, he was a delegate every four years except once when his wife was chosen as part of an effort to increase the number of women.

While Sundquist won’t be among Tennessee’s 55 delegates at the late-August convention in New York City, former Gov. Winfield Dunn will. Dunn was appointed by the executive committee.

Other delegates include: Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist; Sen. Lamar Alexander; Jim Haslam of Knoxville, state finance chairman of the Bush-Cheney campaign; Chattanooga Mayor Bob Corker; and former U.S. Sen. Fred Thompson.

Among the 55 delegates, 27 were elected Feb. 10.