GOP House members elect leadership

Top leadership doesn't change, but moderate versus conservative wing battle it out for caucus chair

Email | Print By Ken Whitehouse

Republican members of the Tennessee House of Representatives met today in the State Capitol to decide who would lead their new majority in the next legislative session.

Today's election was not for the position of Speaker of the House, that contest is in January, but rather for caucus positions.

Current House GOP leader Jason Mumpower ran unopposed today and will serve as the Republican choice for Speaker against Democratic incumbent Speaker Jimmy Naifeh. As long as Mumpower holds his caucus together, he will get that job.

State Representative Glen Casada (R-Franklin) also ran unopposed and retained his position in the caucus, which would mean that he would take the position of Majority Leader in January assuming Mumpower becomes Speaker of the House.

The most anticpated battle today was for the position of Republican Caucus Chair that pitted the more moderate Steve McDaniel (R-Parkers Crossroads) against the more conservative Frank Niceley (R-Knoxville). According to Republican rules, the winner of this election will stand for the election of Speaker Pro Tempore come January.

In a vote conducted by secret ballot, McDaniel was the victor. Vote totals were not announced.

Speeches by the McDaniel and Niceley were pointed in the intraparty contest. While McDaniel proclaimed that he would be true to the caucus in the position, Niceley said that he had always "remained loyal to the Republican caucus" and attacked McDaniel for not being a "true believer." He then pointed to McDaniel having voted for Naifeh in the past and carrying former Republican Governor Don Sundquist's proposed income tax legislation when McDaniel served in the GOP leadership. Niceley then admonished newer members to reward him for "20 years" of party loyalty while they were in the wilderness.

The only other contested leadership election was for the position of Assistant Floor Leader, a slot that is filled by an incoming freshman member who is selected by other freshman. Former State Trooper Barrett Rich (R-Somerville) defeated businessman Joe Carr (R-Murfreesboro).

While not up for election today some presumed candidates for the constitutional offices were on hand to witness the proceedings. Former State Senator Jim Bryson and Tennessee Regulatory Authority chair Tre Hargett, both expected to vie for the position of Secretary of State, worked the crowd.

Other caucus positions filled today are as follows;

Caucus Vice Chair: Kevin Brooks (Cleveland)

Whip: Debra Maggart (Hendersonville)

Floor Leader: Jon Lundberg (Bristol)

Secretary: Judd Matheny (Tullahoma)

Treasurer: Joey Hensley (Hohenwald)

Fiscal Review:

Harry Brooks (Knoxville)

Curtis Johnson (Clarksville)

Steve McManus (Cordova)

Donna Rowland (Murfreesboro)

Tony Shipley (Kingsport)

Curry Todd (Memphis)