Trouble in Republican Paradise

GOP legislators don't have all the votes they need for Speaker Pro Tempore

Email | Print By Ken Whitehouse

Republicans in the Tennessee State Legislature are getting a basic education this week about counting to 50.

According to several NashvillePost.com sources, the GOP candidate for Speaker Pro Tempore of the House, Rep. Steve McDaniel of Parker's Crossroads, has a long way to go to get the 50 Republican votes needed to get the job. Republicans have a one-seat majority in the State House and any defections jeopardize their control of legislative offices.

The House Republican caucus is divided basically into two factions, moderate and conservative. McDaniel is well known to be a "moderate," which greatly troubles the more conservative elements of his caucus.

McDaniel was challenged last month for the spot in a Republican caucus meeting by State Rep. Frank Niceley of Knoxville. In that election, 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 Gov. Don Sundquist's proposed income tax legislation when McDaniel served in the GOP leadership. Niceley also called on newer members to reward him for "20 years" of party loyalty while they were in the wilderness.

While McDaniel carried the day, more conservative members of the caucus were not happy and their dissatisfaction appears to have placed his ascent to the slot of Speaker Pro Tempore of the House in jeopardy. The spot is currently held by Democratic State Rep. Lois DeBerry of Memphis.

The vote for the job will occur on Tuesday of next week.