Democratic chairman stepping down to return to business

“I’ve been away from my family for 2 1/2 years,” said the 45-year-old Roane County native, who has three children. “I also want to get back to my appraisal business that I’ve had for 20 years.”

Button, president and founder of East Tennessee Appraisal Group, is about six months into his second term. He was elected in 2003 and re-elected in January.

Before becoming chairman, Button was senior adviser to Gov. Phil Bredesen’s 2002 campaign. He also worked on the 1986 and 1990 campaigns of former Gov. Ned McWherter and Al Gore’s campaigns for Senate in 1984 and president in 1988 and 2000.

In addition to his work on state and national campaigns, Button was elected Roane County property assessor in 1992.

Button said an election will be held June 18 to decide his successor. He will remain chairman until the end of the month, then step down to serve on a special finance committee.

“I truly want to thank Randy for the strong leadership he provided these past 2 1/2 years,” Bredesen said in a statement. “He was a great chairman for Tennessee’s Democratic Party, and he will be sorely missed.”

Party treasurer Bob Tuke said Button’s leadership will be missed.

“We are so honored to have had him be our leader,” Tuke said. “He has brought the party along enormously.”

Button’s resignation comes about three weeks after four current or former Democratic senators were arrested in a federal corruption sting.

Former state Sens. John Ford and Roscoe Dixon, current Sens. Kathryn Bowers and Ward Crutchfield and Republican Rep. Chris Newton are accused of taking payoffs to advance legislation helping a fake company set up by the FBI.

A Chattanooga lobbyist and Memphis resident also were charged as “bag men” in the case.

Button said the sting wasn’t a factor in his decision to resign, because he was “thinking about doing this” before the arrests.