Williams still a Republican

House GOP surveyed by state party, Harwell says they shouldn't kick Speaker out of the GOP

Email | Print By Ken Whitehouse

Beth Harwell

On January 13 when Elizabethton Republican State Rep. Kent Williams was elected Speaker of the House, he heard angry cries of "traitor" among a few other choice words. He was not the Republican candidate for the job and won with the support of 49 Democrats.

Party members promised that his excommunication from the GOP would be swift. That was over three weeks ago and Williams still has a letter "R" by his name.

One of the reasons for the delay in the verdict is a survey sent to members of the GOP caucus in the State House.

In a letter sent to them by State GOP chair Robin Smith, members are asked to provide input on what should become of their wayward Williams. Smith says in the letter, "I am asking each caucus member to share your thoughts on the matter by providing written, specifics to any assistance, support or activity that Rep. Kent Williams has provided the Tennessee Republican Party, the Republican House Caucus and/or an individual candidate in his 2-year tenure as a legislator."

Smith, who has final say over Williams fate, has asked each member to e-mail her with their thoughts.

The ever present Capitol Hill rumor mill pegged Nashville State Rep. Beth Harwell as the impetus for the survey, but Harwell denies that she asked for it. Speaking to NashvillePost.com, Harwell said that she never spoke to Smith about surveying the caucus. Harwell did say that she felt it important that members of the caucus to weigh on the deliberations.

Asked if she felt that Williams should be kicked out of the Republican party and Harwell said, "No, he should not be." Harwell said that she did not approve of Williams actions and was disappointed in what he did but that it was time to "move on." "Ulitmately," Harwell said, "his fate will be decided by the voters in his district."

Here is a full copy of the letter sent by Smith:

Republican Caucus Members:

It has come to my attention that some members of the Caucus have expressed concern over the continuing deliberations as to the status of Representative Kent Williams.

As you know, following the ascension of Mr. Williams to the office of Speaker with 49 Democrat votes, I was presented with 30 challenges to his bona fide status by members of the State Executive Committee. Under the bylaws of the Tennessee Republican Party, I must rule on these challenges.

It has been my determination to make this process as open, fair and deliberate as possible. Our Committee has had two conference calls and has considered a resolution stating the sense of the Committee as to the form a remedy, if required, should take.

In the effort to gain as much input as possible, I am asking each caucus member to share your thoughts on the matter by providing written, specifics to any assistance, support or activity that Rep. Kent Williams has provided the Tennessee Republican Party, the Republican House Caucus and/or an individual candidate in his 2-year tenure as a legislator. If you have a viewpoint as to what action the Tennessee Republican Party should take, I encourage you to e-mail me your thoughts at chairman@tngop.org.

I look forward to moving ahead and working with you to strengthen our majority in 2010 and beyond

Sincerley,

Robin T. Smith
Chairman
Tennessee Republican Party