Major discontent in Democratic caucus

Whispers of a coup in the hallways of State Capitol

Email | Print By Ken Whitehouse

All may appear to be quiet in the State Capitol, but there is trouble brewing – this time in the House Democratic Caucus.

Since Democrats installed Carter County Republican State Representative Kent Williams into the Speaker's chair, House Democrats have appeared to be on a roll while their Republican colleagues have been looking for their sea legs. It appears that now it is the Democratic caucus' turn to hit some rough waters.

Several members of the House Democratic Caucus have told NashvillePost.com that they are not content with their caucus leader, State Rep. Gary Odom of Nashville – so much so that discussion of a leadership coup is in the works.

The members, who spoke only on background, stated that if there is a move to unseat Odom, it would depend on Democratic State Representatives John Litz of Morristown, Craig Fitzhugh of Ripley and Charlie Curtiss of Sparta. If those three decide collectively to mount a challenge, a leadership battle would be on.

Reasons mentioned for the possible coup attempt include the strained relationship between Odom and Gov. Phil Bredesen, the credit given over the Williams vote, and whether Odom acts in the best interest of the caucus.

For a coup to be successful, a herculean effort would have to materialize. Bylaws of the Democratic Caucus state that when a person is elected to a caucus position, it is for a two-year term. There is no recall provision in the bylaws, so unseating a member from a leadership position would take a series of votes starting with a two-thirds majority vote of the caucus to change the rules.

No member wished to speak on the record regarding this story, but supporters of Odom said they would be surprised by a push to take away the leadership from Odom. They pointed to Fitzhugh's loss to Odom for the Democratic leadership post last year and work that the current leader has done to block proposed tax increases.

Some Odom backers also are suggesting that news of a coup is merely a "trial balloon" being floated by supporters of former Speaker of the House Jimmy Naifeh – a group that has never been in Odom's camp.