State senator promises to resign from office if elected GOP chair

[UPDATED 3:57 p.m. -- Senator withdraws from chair's race and throws support to current vice chair] Freshman state senator makes 4th of July pitch to GOP

Email | Print By Ken Whitehouse

Paul Stanley

UPDATE: 3:57 p.m. Wednesday

State Senator Paul Stanley contacted NashvillePost.com late this afternoon and stated that he was withdrawing his name from consideration to become chair of the Tennessee Republican Party. Stanley also stated that he was throwing his complete support behind the party's current vice chair, Robin Smith of Hixson.

Stanley added that he believed that the race should be over and that Republicans will unite behind Smith.

As originally posted:

With the impending resignation of Tennessee Republican Party chairman Bob Davis, a number of prominent Tennessee Republicans are officially and unofficially jockeying for his job. Among them is a sitting State Senator who says he would resign from the legislature if elected to become the next GOP party chief.

State Senator Paul Stanley, of the Memphis suburb of Germantown, has sent an e-mail to members of the state Republican Executive Committee asking for their support. In his 4th of July appeal to the body that will decide who the GOP chair is, Stanley said that if elected to the post he would resign from the State Senate.

The impetus behind Stanley's resignation promise is that new state ethics rules bar him from raising money for the party while the state legislature is in session as long as he is a sitting member.

Earlier this year, Lieutenant Governor Ron Ramsey was unable to raise money for the Tennessee Republican's annual "Lincoln Day" dinner because the legislature had not adjourned. The last member of the Tennessee General Assembly to serve as state party chair was Nashville's State Representative Beth Halteman Harwell, Davis's GOP predecessor. Harwell held the position prior to the changes in state law and legislative ethics rules.

Stanley was elected to the State Senate just last year upon the retirement of longtime State Senator Curtis Person (R-Germantown) after having served six years in the state house. Should Stanley win the support of the GOP executive committee and resign from the senate, a special election would have to be held in Shelby County to fill his seat. In the interim, the Democratic controlled Shelby County Commission would appoint a successor.

Earlier this week, NashvillePost.com reported that Davis was packing it in as Tennessee's top Republican party official and headed to work for the nascent campaign of Fred Thompson for President. Davis previously worked for Thompson from 1994 until 2002 as his state director.

Although early, some other names floating for the position are former state senator and one time gubernatorial candidate Jim Bryson and former Tennessee and national Young Republican chairman Larry Kidwell, both of Williamson County. The election will be held August 4th.

Here is a copy of the e-mail to Tennessee Republicans sent by Stanley;

From: (State Senator Paul Stanley)
To: XXXXXXXXXX
Subject: State Republican Party Chairmanship
Date: Wed, 4 Jul 2007

Dear XXXXXXX,

Happy 4th of July! Our nation and state have much to be thankful for as we celebrate our nation's independence. Without question, the freedoms most of us take for granted will be challenged as we move toward the 2008 election cycle.

Tennessee Republican Party Chairman Bob Davis announced on Tuesday his impending resignation. Bob has been a friend for many years and his experience, political instinct, and communication and management skills will be greatly missed. I wish Bob and his family the best as they embark upon an exciting opportunity.

As a former member of the Executive Committee, I realize the important task yo u have in evaluating candidates and electing a chairman for the party.

I would like to be the next Chairman of the Tennessee Republican Party.

The top priority of our chairman should be electing a majority in the State House and electing more Republican Senators to support Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey. I believe Fred Thompson's entrance into the Presidential race gives Tennessee Republicans a unique opportunity to obtain this majority in the legislature.

The chairman's position is a full time job. If elected, I will resign from the Senate to serve full time as TRP Chairman.

Having served seven years in the legislature, I developed relationships with nearly every Republican member of the General Assembly. These relationships give me a unique insight into what it takes to serve in the legislature, and I believe we assist me in recruiting candidates. I have a proven track record as a fundraiser in the House and Senate that will serve me well when raising money for our party.

Over the next several days I will call you to discuss how we can best move our party to the majority at every level.

Thank you for your consideration and, again, have a wonderful 4th.

Best regards,
Senator Paul Stanley