Bob Corker

Who is Bob Corker?

Robert Phillips "Bob" Corker, Jr. is an American politician and the junior United States Senator from Tennessee, serving since 2007. Corker, a member of the Republican Party, is currently a ranking member of the United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations in the 113th congress.

Born in Orangeburg, South Carolina, Corker is a graduate of the University of Tennessee. In 1978 at the age of 25, Corker founded a successful construction company, which he later sold in 1990. He ran for the 1994 U.S. Senate election in Tennessee, but was defeated by future Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist in the Republican primary. Appointed by Tennessee Governor Don Sundquist, Corker served as Commissioner of Finance and Administration for the State of Tennessee from 1995 to 1996. He later acquired two of the largest real estate companies in Chattanooga, Tennessee, before being elected the 71st Mayor of Chattanooga in 2000; serving one term as Mayor from 2001 to 2005.

Corker announced his candidacy for the 2006 U.S. Senate election in Tennessee after two-term incumbent Bill Frist announced his retirement from the Senate. Corker defeated former Representatives Ed Bryant and Van Hilleary in the Republican primary, with 47% of the vote. He later defeated Democratic Representative Harold Ford, Jr. in the general election, with 51% of the vote. In 2012 Corker was re-elected, defeating Democrat Mark E. Clayton by 65% to 30%.