Democrats pick State House leaders

Leadership picked for next legislative session as minority party

Email | Print By Ken Whitehouse

Gary Odom

Democrats in the Tennessee House of Representatives picked new leadership tonight as they face the reality that, for the first time since Reconstruction, they are the minority party.

Current House Speaker Jimmy Naifeh was not the Democrat to watch, as it won't be until January that he will face Republican Leader Jason Mumpower for the job of speaker. Mumpower appears to have 50 House members ready to vote for him compared to Naifeh's 49.

Tonight's battle was for Democratic leader, where Nashville's Gary Odom squared off against Ripley's Craig Fitzhugh, and Democratic Caucus Chair, which pitted Nashville's Mike Turner versus Knoxville's Joe Armstrong.

Odom served as leader this last legislative session, while the caucus slot had long been held by Savannah's Randy Rinks, who did not stand for re-election this cycle.

In the race for caucus chair, Turner won by a vote of 30 to 18 over Armstrong.

In the race for leader, Odom bested Fitzhugh 25 to 23.

In other caucus races, Lois DeBerry of Memphis was elected deputy Democratic leader and Morristown's John Litz assistant leader. Dresden's Mark Maddox was named whip, Dennis Ferguson of Roane County floor leader, Larry Turner of Memphis secretary, Cookeville's Henry Fincher vice chair of the caucus, and Sherry Jones of Nashville caucus treasurer. 

Odom's win will likely test the relationship between House Democrats and Gov. Phil Bredesen. Earlier this week, Bredesen spokesperson Lydia Lenker said that the governor's office had "trust issues" with Odom.