State Comptroller Wilson won’t seek seventh term
Justin Wilson, Tennessee’s comptroller of the treasury for the last dozen years, announced Wednesday he won’t seek a seventh term for the office.
Wilson, 75, wrote to members of the state legislature informing them of his decision to retire and endorse his deputy, Jason Mumpower, to take over the office. Both men are Republicans.
The Tennessee General Assembly is tasked with electing the state’s three constitutional officers, including the comptroller, treasurer and secretary of state.
Wilson, who proudly touted the nickname “beloved comptroller,” oversees the state office that performs financial audits of government accounts and ensures financial integrity at the local and state level, among other functions.
“Tennessee is well positioned for the future,” Wilson wrote. “As I have contemplated my own future, I have determined that now is the time for me to step aside.”
Wilson’s late announcement of his retirement leaves little time for any other candidate to run against Mumpower for the position, which the legislature will vote on when they return to session in less than a month.
Mumpower, a former state House member who represented Sullivan and Johnson counties, became deputy comptroller in 2010 and has been Wilson’s righthand man.
After serving as House majority and minority leader, Mumpower was thought to be the obvious choice for House speaker at the start of the 2009 session, but lost the floor vote in a lastminute upset orchestrated by Republican Rep. Kent Williams and the chamber’s 49 Democrats.
Mumpower, Wilson wrote, has his “full and wholehearted endorsement” for the job.
“Jason is the right person to lead our committed effort to provide independent audits, objective research, and most of all, conservative fiscal management,” Wilson wrote. “I know he cares deeply about our state and the Comptroller’s Office. Please join me in supporting Jason as Tennessee’s next Comptroller.”
As state comptroller, Wilson earns nearly $210,000 each year.
“I write to you today with a tremendous sense of pride,” Wilson said in the letter to members. “Tennessee is doing just great.”
Wilson previously served as deputy to the governor for former Gov. Don Sundquist, as well as commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.