Elizabethton Star - Breaking News Stories
House picks Repub speaker but not one GOP wantedhttp://www.starhq.com/news/html/news/articles/articles.asp?day=breaking&article=ap-kentwilliams.htmlBy ERIK SCHELZIG
Associated Press Writer
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) —
The Tennessee House has its first Republican speaker in 40 years, but the lawmaker who won did it without the support of the GOP. Rep. Kent Williams of Elizabethton on Tuesday upset Rep. Jason Mumpower of Bristol on a vote of 50-49 Tuesday after Democrats banded together to nominate and support him. Williams is the first Republican elected state House speaker since 1969. He takes over the top post in the House from Rep. Jimmy Naifeh, D-Covington, who had been speaker for a record 18 years.
Williams’ victory was loudly booed by Republicans in the gallery who were stunned by Mumpower’s loss on what was supposed to be a triumphant day for their party. “I don’t consider myself a traitor,” Williams said after the vote. “I voted for a Republican, a Republican who can lead.” Mumpower declined to comment to reporters during a break after the vote.
Williams, 59, said he hopes to split powerful committee chairmanships equally between Democrats and Republicans. He said he supports efforts to restrict access to abortions in Tennessee and for fewer restrictions on guns.
Republicans in November won majorities in both chambers of the General Assembly for the first time since 1869. When the 106th General Assembly convened Tuesday, Republicans had a one-seat advantage in the 99-member House.
Williams acknowledged on the floor that he likely now will be kicked out of the Republican Party, though he promised to run the House in a bipartisan manner. Asked whether he would become a Democrat if he is stripped of his Republican affiliation, Williams said “never.” “If they do that, I will be an independent,” he said. “But I am a Republican and will always be a Republican in my heart. I just do things a little different.” Williams is a farmer and owns a restaurant in Elizabethton. Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey, a Blountville Republican, was earlier elected to his second two-year term in charge of the upper chamber in a 19-14 vote along party lines. Ramsey, who in 2007 persuaded a Democratic senator to cross over to cement his victory in a closely divided chamber, expressed disgust over the House vote. “It is a travesty,” Ramsey said. “The Republicans had the majority, yet he sided with the minority party.”
State Republican Party Chairwoman Robin Smith said in a statement that Williams violated his written pledge to vote for the GOP nominee for speaker. “He lied, in a quest for personal power,” Smith said. House Democratic Leader Gary Odom, of Nashville, nominated Williams. Odom, who is a Carter County native, said he first mentioned the prospect of running for speaker to Williams on a trip to Elizabethton over Thanksgiving. “He thought I was kidding,” Odom said.
Williams said he agreed to stand as speaker about two days before the vote after it became clear that Naifeh didn’t have the votes. “My plan was for me to be re-elected speaker today. That didn’t work out,” Naifeh said after the vote. Asked what he will do next, Naifeh replied, “I’m going to be the best legislator I can be.
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