Harlan Mathews (January 17, 1927 – May 9, 2014) was an American politician who was an appointed interim Democratic United States Senator from Tennessee from 1993 to 1994. He previously served in the executive and legislative branches of state government in Tennessee for more than 40 years beginning in 1950.
Early life and education
Harlan Mathews was born on January 17, 1927, in Sumiton, Alabama, to John William Mathews and Lillian (Young) Mathews. After completing high school in 1944, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served until 1946.
Following his military service, Mathews returned to Alabama and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Jacksonville State College (now Jacksonville State University) in 1949.
He subsequently earned a Master of Public Administration degree from Vanderbilt University in 1950. Mathews began his public service career on the planning staff of Governor Gordon Browning. In 1954, following the election of Governor Frank G. Clement, he joined the state’s budget staff.
In 1961, Mathews was appointed commissioner of finance and administration. While serving in that role, he completed a law degree in 1962 from the YMCA Night Law School, now known as the Nashville School of Law.
In mid-1993, Mathews expressed a desire to run in November 1994 for election to the remainder of Gore's senate term. "Hardly a day goes by that I don't get encouraged to get in there and offer myself" for next year's election, he said in July 1993. Mathews ultimately decided not to run in the special election and in December 1994, after Fred Thompson was elected to the seat, Mathews left office and resumed a law practice in Nashville, Tennessee.
Death
Mathews died of brain cancer on May 9, 2014, at a hospice in Nashville. He was survived by his wife, Pat, and two sons. A third son, Richard Mathews, preceded him in death.