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Johnny H. Hayes, a native Blount Countian and leader in national politics, lost his battle with stomach cancer and died Saturday at his home in Sideview, about 30 miles northeast of Nashville. He was 67.

Hayes' family announced his death in a statement through Deputy Gov. Stuart Brunson.

Before being named a Tennessee Valley Authority director by President Bill Clinton -- after a nomination from then-Vice President Al Gore -- he served as commissioner of employment security and commissioner of economic and community development in the cabinet of Tennessee Gov. Ned McWherter. In 1999, Hayes left the country's largest public utility to become chief fundraiser for Gore's 2000 presidential race.

To many, Hayes was best known as a successful finance chairman for Democratic political campaigns. From 1976 until 1990, he served as finance chairman for Gore in all of his congressional and senate campaigns. He was also national finance chairman of the Gore 2000 presidential campaign. Serving from 1998 to 2000, he played a key leadership role in managing the national fundraising network which raised more than $300 million in 50 states.

"He was a great friend and a wonderful ally," Gore said in a statement. "I never would have been elected to Congress without him. He was the key, for me and for many others."

After Gore lost the presidential bid to George W. Bush in 2000, Hayes was hired to lobby Congress on behalf of troubled electric wholesaler Enron Corp., which collapsed in late 2001.

He served as finance chairman of the 2002 and 2006 Bredesen for Governor campaigns. He led in raising more than $16 million from all 95 Tennessee counties.

"Many knew Johnny as a powerful business and political leader; Andrea and I knew him as a friend," Gov. Phil Bredesen said in a statement, referring to his wife, Tennessee first lady Andrea Conte.

Alexander comments

Informed of Hayes' death, U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander, a friend and fellow Blount Countian, commented that Hayes' death was a significant loss to the nation's political system.

In earlier years, Hayes established an insurance firm in Hendersonville and in later years had been principal manager of Sideview Partners, Inc., a firm specializing in development of business and public solutions for challenges faced by utilities, manufacturing and service companies.

Tennessee Ethics Commission filings indicate Hayes was registered to lobby Tennessee lawmakers for 13 companies, including UST Inc., the maker of Skoal and Copenhagen smokeless tobacco. Hayes had personally given nearly $70,000 to candidates for federal office and Democratic causes since 1993, according to data compiled by the Center for Responsive Politics.

Hayes also was known for gathering an extensive collection of political memorabilia, including a copper button from George Washington's inauguration, a ticket to Andrew Johnson's impeachment trial and an Abraham Lincoln campaign banner.

"I've always been interested in politics, but I got started collecting at the convention in '88, and did it with a passion for several years," Hayes told The Associated Press in a 2004 interview. "I just have a hard time getting rid of anything."

His collection included a Votamatic voting machine from Palm Beach County, Fla., complete with the butterfly ballot made infamous during the 2000 election.

Blount roots

A graduate of Alcoa High and a member of The Daily Times Wall of Fame, Hayes played football at Alcoa High and attended Maryville College a year before graduating from Tennessee Technological University in 1961.

A member of Bethpage Methodist Church, he served 18 years as superintendent of Sunday school and taught an adult Sunday school class.

His father, Harold "Snag" Hayes, served on the Blount County Commission and was chairman of the Blount County Election Commission. His sister, Elizabeth Breeding is current administrator of the Blount County Election Commission office. His brother Steve also resides in Blount County.

Hayes is survived by his wife, Mary Howard Reese Hayes, and three children.

Memorial service details are incomplete but the funeral will be held Tuesday.