Sen. Lamar Alexander is undoubtedly Tennessee’s elder statesman in Washington. He has earned this title — not only by being the state’s senior member of the Senate, but from his many years of competent and selfless public service.

That’s why we urge voters to return Alexander to Washington so that he can continue to serve Tennessee with the skill and dedication he has so consummately demonstrated for three decades.

Few elected officials can boast of a résumé as impressive as Alexander’s. He served two solid terms as governor in the early 1980s, He served as education secretary under President George H.W. Bush. Alexander later distinguished himself as president of the University of Tennessee.