Governor?s top aide, Dave Cooley, resigns
|
Cooley gave no reason for his resignation as deputy governor but he had said he only planned to serve during Bredesen’s first term.
The governor, re-elected last month to a second term, defended Cooley throughout his first term as a longtime “friend and ally,” and told The Associated Press on Friday that he’s sorry to see Cooley leave.
“Yeah, he’s been a lighting rod: he’s in a very difficult position, he’s handled a lot of difficult problems. But he’s had enormous positive influence on this administration and on me,” Bredesen said. “He has helped me get virtually everything done that’s been a great success.”
Cooley did not announce his future plans. His last day as deputy governor will be Jan. 15.
Bredesen said he plans to hire a chief of staff in addition to the existing deputy governor position. The chief of staff will handle more internal operations, while the deputy governor will address political and constituent issues, he said.
The deputy governor is appointed by the governor and is not in the line of succession.
One of Cooley’s responsibilities was consulting on Tennessee Highway Patrol promotions, a role that came under closer scrutiny after Cooley had a speeding ticket fixed by a lieutenant in late 2004.
Cooley said he didn’t ask for any special consideration for the ticket, but a videotape of the traffic stop from the patrol car showed Cooley handed the trooper his business card, which Cooley said he did reflexively as a courtesy.
The TBI looked into the incident, and Cooley was cleared of any criminal behavior by the state attorney general. But he was reprimanded publicly by the governor and ordered to stay away from involvement with the Highway Patrol.
The ticket-fixing incident hurt Cooley’s standing in the media, Bredesen said.
“When that happened, every time somebody broke a glass somewhere, it was his fault,” Bredesen said. “That’s got to wear you down after a while.”
Bredesen said he never considered removing Cooley from his administration.
Cooley previously worked for Bredesen when he was Nashville mayor, and even after leaving for the private sector was instrumental in helping lure what became the Tennessee Titans of the NFL to Nashville, Bredesen said.
Cooley said in his resignation letter that he is thankful for his opportunity to serve during Bredesen’s terms as mayor and governor.
“You have changed the face of Nashville and our great state, and I am humbled to have played a small part by your side,” Cooley said. “I consider you to be my mentor, leader and most importantly, my friend.”