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Former State Senator Jim Tracy (center in red shirt) throws candy at the
2017 RC Cola/Moon Pie Festival parade. Photo by Terence Corrigan.
Growing up a

political leader

Jim trAcy ’s PAth from the fArm to the senAte
H story by mArk mcGee
g rowing up in savannah, tennessee, jim tracy didn’t in collierville, tennessee,

tracy decided he wanted to
realize he was already training for a life in politics.
he was the president of his high school class. he
also was selected as a delegate to boy’s state. In 4-h he learned be an insurance agent again.
he moved to shelbyville and
about public speaking. owned and operated jim tracy
“I was the student body president at central high school Insurance for more than 20
in savannah,” tracy said. “I had to go to a lot of leadership years. he also served as a
seminars. I remember giving my speech. I also ran for office at teacher and coach in columbia
boy’s state and got elected. before entering the insurance
“I got to meet a lot of people in state politics during that field. Jim Tracy
time. I remember governor winfield Dunn spoke to us at boy’s while in shelbyville he
state.” continued to build his political
tracy was a high school pitcher and earned a scholarship background. from 1996-2004 he was member of the bedford
to freed-hardeman university. he eventually transferred to county board of education, serving as the vice-chairman for five
tennessee-martin where he majored in agriculture education years. In 1992 and 1993 he was the president of the shelbyville-
and continued his baseball career. his sports involvement bedford county chamber of commerce. he was a founding
continued after graduation as he served as a tssAA basketball member of the bedford county economic Development and
official for more than 20 years and an ncAA basketball official tourism committee and is a past chairman of the tennessee
for 10 years. leadership council of the national federation of Independent
After working in management for nationwide Insurance business (nfIb).

40 Salute