Donald K. Sundquist Closed Collection Donald K. Sundquist Papers: MPA-305 (unprocessed)

Donald K. Sundquist (1936- ) served two terms as a Republican governor of Tennessee from 1995 to 2003. He was born in Moline, Illinois and following his graduation from Augustana College, Sundquist served in the U.S. Navy for two years. After working for a scholastic products company, he started his own printing and advertising firm in Memphis. While working there, Sundquist became involved in the Shelby County Republican Party, eventually becoming its chairman from 1976 to 1979 and managing the presidential campaign of Senator Howard Baker Jr. in 1979. He won election the U.S. House, representing the 7th District from 1983 to 1995. After concluding his tenure in Congress, Sundquist began serving as governor and promoted compassionate welfare reform legislation, stricter law enforcement measures, and prudence in government expenditures.