Alexander was sworn in as Governor of Tennessee 3 days earlier than scheduled in 1979, because his Democrat predecessor Ray Blanton had sold pardons. As the facts of Blanton's activities became clear a bi-partisan consensus emerged that Blanton had to be removed from office as quickly as possible to prevent additional pardon-selling. I don't know how all the legal details were worked, but state office holders in both parties cooperated to seat Alexander in the governor's mansion ahead of schedule.
One of the local Nashville radio stations cut a satirical song to the tune of "Chattanooga Choo Choo" - "Pardon me Ray, are the the cat who signs the pardons?...."
Alexander served Tennessee with decorum, but the times have long called for the virtue of excessive decorum to be re-considered in light of the need for clarity, in my opinion. Trump's ascendancy, and strength in Tennessee specifically, indicate that many others agree.
I wish Alexander well in retirement.
