James Kent Syler
Professor, Political Science and Public Policy, College of Liberal Arts
Media Inquiries
Syler is a strategist and analyst who focuses on Tennessee politics. He has been immensely involved in government and politics for over thirty years. He managed former Congressman Bart Gordon’s first campaign for congress in 1984 and two subsequent re-election campaigns, and served as Gordon’s Tennessee Chief of Staff from 1985 until his retirement in 2011.
During his time at MTSU, Syler has received national attention for his work with archival political letters. Syler’s research demonstrated that many of the same issues dividing Americans today such as civil rights, immigration, health care policy, guns, and trade have been shaping political debate for over 50 years.
Areas of Focus
Archival Research on Political Letters​ | Campaign Strategy, Media and Advertising | Gerrymandering | Political Analysis and Commentary on American Politics and Government | Political Comedy | Political Polling
Departments / Programs
- Political Science
- Department of Political and Global Affairs
- United States Culture and Education, Undergraduate Certificate
Degree Information
- MA, Middle Tennessee State University (1998)
- BS, Middle Tennessee State University (1983)
Biography
Kent Syler is a Professor of Political Science and Public Policy at Middle Tennessee State University. He has been immensely involved in Tennessee politics for over forty years. Starting as a campaign “sound truck” driver in 1978, he has gone on to become one of Tennessee’s most respected political strategists and analysts.
Kent has taught at MTSU since 2002 and also serves as Special Projects Coordinator for the University’s Albert Gore Research Center.
<...> Read More »Kent Syler is a Professor of Political Science and Public Policy at Middle Tennessee State University. He has been immensely involved in Tennessee politics for over forty years. Starting as a campaign “sound truck” driver in 1978, he has gone on to become one of Tennessee’s most respected political strategists and analysts.
Kent has taught at MTSU since 2002 and also serves as Special Projects Coordinator for the University’s Albert Gore Research Center.
He managed Congressman Bart Gordon’s first campaign for congress in 1984 and his tough re-election campaigns in 1994 and 1996. He served as Gordon’s Tennessee Chief of Staff from 1985 until his retirement in 2011.
He has been actively involved with dozens of other campaigns, ranging from city council to governor and U.S. Senate. Kent served as a winter school lecturer at Sciences Po (Paris Institute of Political Studies) in Reims, France where he designed and taught a course with Gordon. The class introduced European students to the ideas, practices, and institutions that constitute politics and government in the United States.
Kent is a political columnist and is frequently quoted in Tennessee and national news media. His work introducing students to archival constituent letters sent to Senator Albert Gore Sr. was featured in the New York Times. He serves as political analyst for WSMV-TV, News 4 in Nashville.
Kent is active in the community serving as the Chair of the Murfreesboro Greenways Committee and is a Past President of the Murfreesboro Rotary Club. He and his wife Lynell have two daughters.
