Sen. Jim Sasser
Jim Sasser has died. The former U.S. senator, lawyer and military man who served as U.S. ambassador to China during the Bill Clinton administration was respected for his pleasant demeanor and quick intellect. He was 87.
The Tennessean reports Sasser died at his home in Chapel Hill, N.C., on Tuesday, citing family members.
Born in Memphis in 1936, Sasser briefly attended the University of Tennessee before transferring to Vanderbilt University, from which he earned both his bachelor’s and law degrees. He graduated from Vanderbilt Law School in 1961 while serving in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve (from 1957 to 1963).
The Tennessean reports Sasser joined Nashville law firm Goodpasture, Carpenter, Woods and Sasser, at which he practiced until 1972.
A former Tennessee Democratic Party chairman, Sasser served Tennessee in the U.S. Senate from 1977 to 1995, partly with Republican Howard Baker and partly with fellow Democrats Al Gore and Harlan Mathews. The state has seen no Democrat hold the position since Sasser left. Clinton appointed Sasser in 1996 to serve as the sixth U.S. ambassador to China.
Gray Sasser, Sasser’s son and also a lawyer, is a past chair of the Tennessee Democratic Party.
“We are saddened to learn of the death of former U.S. senator, ambassador and Tennessee Democratic Party Chairman Jim Sasser," the Tennessee Democratic Party offered in a statement. "He served the people of Tennessee with pride and humility. His service to our party, our state and our nation will forever be remembered.”
This article was first published via our sister publication, the Nashville Post.
