Bo Watson

American politician

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Bo Watson

Chairman of the Tennessee Senate
Finance, Ways and Means Committee

Incumbent

Assumed office
January 2018
Preceded by| Randy McNally
Member of the Tennessee Senate
from the 11th district

Incumbent

Assumed office
January 9, 2007
Preceded by| David Fowler
Personal details
Born|

Foy. W. Watson III

(1960-10-21) October 21, 1960 (age 64)
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Political party| Republican
Alma mater| University of Tennessee,
Chattanooga
Website| https://www.BoForTennessee.com

Foy W. "Bo" Watson (born October 21, 1960) is an American politician and a Republican member of the Tennessee Senate, representing the 11th district since 2007.[1]

## Biography

[edit]

Bo Watson was born on October 21, 1960, in Chattanooga, TN.[1] He is the son of Doris Juanita (Hoppe) and Foy W. Watson, Jr. He is married to Nicole (née Osborne) Watson, an attorney. He has one son, Grey Watson.

## Education

[edit]

Watson graduated in 1979 from the Baylor School (a private school located in Chattanooga, Tennessee).

He graduated magna cum laude from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in 1983 with a B.A. in biology and received his education and training in physical therapy at the University of Tennessee Center for Health Sciences in Memphis, Tennessee.[2]

## Religion

[edit]

Watson attends First Presbyterian Church of Chattanooga.

## Career

[edit]

Watson has been a practicing physical therapist for over 30 years and he is currently the Director of Sports Medicine and Therapy Services at HCA-Parkridge Medical Center in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

## Political positions

[edit]

### Transgender rights

[edit]

In December 2024, Watson expressed support for Tennessee's law banning gender-affirming care for minors and also said Tennessee would not rule out also banning it for adults in the future. However, he also said that banning gender-affirming care for adults may not currently be of interest to the Tennessee legislature.[3]

## Election

[edit]

Watson was first elected as a TN state senator in 2006 for the 105th Tennessee General Assembly, having previously served as a state representative during the 104th General Assembly. He represents the 11th district, which encompasses part of Hamilton County.[1] From July 2011 until January 2017, he was Speaker pro tempore in the Tennessee Senate.[4]

In 2018, Watson ran against Randall Price in the general election for Tennessee State Senate District 11. On November 6, 2018, Watson defeated Price in the election.[5]

2018 General Election District 11[5] Candidates  | %  | Votes

|
|

Bo Watson  | 65.1  | 51,082
Randall Price  | 34.9  | 27,332

## Committees/Community Outreach

[edit]

In January 2017 Watson became chairman of the Senate Finance, Ways and Means Committee. He is chairman of the Senate Rules Committee, Chairman of the Joint Committee on Pensions and Insurance, member of the Senate Health and Welfare Committee, the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee and the Fiscal Review Committee.[1]

Watson is a past board member of the Baylor School Alumni Association and is a past member on the Baylor School Board of Trustees. He has been involved in the Junior Achievement program at Orchard Knob Elementary School and Habitat for Humanity. Watson is an American Heart Association Volunteer and a past board member of the Wesley Center at UTC. He is also a past board member of the American Cancer Society Relay for Life and a past board member of the University of Tennessee National Alumni Association.[1]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c d e Capitol biography
2. ^ "Senator Bo Watson". Tennessee General Assembly. Retrieved November 5, 2024.
3. ^ "Would Tennessee ban gender-affirming care for trans adults? Lawmaker has doubts, but doesn't rule it out". Chattanooga Times Free Press. Retrieved December 31, 2024.
4. ^ Chas Sisk, 'Bo Watson to be next speaker pro tempore', The Tennessean, April 15, 2011 [1]
5. ^ a b "Bo Watson". Ballotpedia.

* v
* t
* e

Members of the Tennessee State Senate

113th General Assembly (2023–2025)

Lt. Governor and Speaker
Randy McNally (R)
Speaker pro tempore
Ferrell Haile (R)
Majority Leader
Jack Johnson (R)
Minority Leader
Raumesh Akbari (D)

1. ▌J. Adam Lowe (R)
2. ▌Art Swann (R)
3. ▌Rusty Crowe (R)
4. ▌Jon Lundberg (R)
5. ▌Randy McNally (R)
6. ▌Becky Massey (R)
7. ▌Richard Briggs (R)
8. ▌Frank Niceley (R)
9. ▌Steve Southerland (R)
10. ▌Todd Gardenhire (R)
11. ▌Bo Watson (R)
12. ▌Ken Yager (R)
13. ▌Dawn White (R)
14. ▌Shane Reeves (R)
15. ▌Paul Bailey (R)
16. ▌Janice Bowling (R)
17. ▌Mark Pody (R)
18. ▌Ferrell Haile (R)
19. ▌Charlane Oliver (D)
20. ▌Heidi Campbell (D)
21. ▌Jeff Yarbro (D)
22. ▌Bill Powers (R)
23. ▌Kerry Roberts (R)
24. ▌John Stevens (R)
25. ▌Ed Jackson (R)
26. ▌Page Walley (R)
27. ▌Jack Johnson (R)
28. ▌Joey Hensley (R)
29. ▌Raumesh Akbari (D)
30. ▌Sara Kyle (D)
31. ▌Brent Taylor (R)
32. ▌Paul Rose (R)
33. ▌London Lamar (D)

* ▌Republican (27)
* ▌Democratic (6)

* Tennessee General Assembly
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* e

Statewide political officials of Tennessee

U.S. senators|

* Marsha Blackburn
* Bill Hagerty

State government|

* Bill Lee, Governor
* Randy McNally, Lieutenant Governor
* Tre Hargett, Secretary of State (appointed)
* Jonathan Skrmetti, Attorney General (appointed)
* David Lillard, Treasurer (appointed)
* Jason Mumpower, Comptroller (appointed)

Senate|

* Randy McNally, Speaker
* Ferrell Haile, Speaker pro tempore
* Jack Johnson, Majority Leader
* Raumesh Akbari, Minority Leader

House|

* Cameron Sexton, Speaker
* Pat Marsh, Speaker pro tempore
* William Lamberth, Majority Leader
* Karen Camper, Minority Leader

Supreme Court|

* Holly M. Kirby, Chief Justice
* Jeffrey S. Bivins
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