State Sen. Mike Williams, formerly R-Maynardville, is now I-Maynardville. Williams, who recently lost his position as Speaker pro tem, announced today that he is now an Independent.
The switch means that the Tennessee Senate-- which was composed of 17 Republicans and 16 Democrats-- is now 16-16-1.
Showing posts with label Tn Senate. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tn Senate. Show all posts
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
January 10, 2007 Watch the "Tennessee Miracle Vote"
Speaker of the Senate/Lt. Governor Sen. Ron Ramsey (pictured).The newspapers will have the official reports today.
Yesterday's post and previous posts have the story.
Now you can view the vote here.
Sen. Ron Ramsey (R) defeated Sen. John Wilder (D) for the position of Speaker of the Senate in Tennessee.
Yesterday's post and previous posts have the story.
Now you can view the vote here.
Sen. Ron Ramsey (R) defeated Sen. John Wilder (D) for the position of Speaker of the Senate in Tennessee.
A Tennessean article includes some very kind and generous comments by Wilder about Sen. Rosalind Kurita's (D) vote for Ramsey (R).
Regardless of one's opinions on his continued service as Speaker/Lt. Gov., Wilder's offer of congratulations to Sen. Ramsey and his kind remarks about Sen. Kurita were first-class.
Regardless of one's opinions on his continued service as Speaker/Lt. Gov., Wilder's offer of congratulations to Sen. Ramsey and his kind remarks about Sen. Kurita were first-class.
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
January 9, 2007 A Tennessee Miracle! Wilder dethroned!
It happened! It really happened!
Some people are in shock. Other people think that they just witnessed a miracle.
Senator Ron Ramsey (R-Blountville) defeated 85-year old John Wilder (D) for the position of Speaker of the Senate/Lt. Governor.
Many prior posts have discussed this race: here, here, and here.
In the end, it was a Democrat who gave Ramsey the boost he needed. Sen. Rosalind Kurita (D-Clarksville) cast her vote for Ramsey.
After Kurita's voted for Ramsey, Mike Williams' vote (R-Maynardville) for Ramsey didn't even matter. When Williams' vote was cast at the end of the alphabetical roll call, he knew that Ramsey already had the votes.
It was easy for Williams to re-join the Republican fold and vote for Ramsey at that point. In an earlier post today, I speculated that if Williams saw that Wilder didn't have the votes, then Williams might vote for Ramsey.
Wilder didn't have the votes (due to Kurita), and Williams voted for Ramsey.
The final tally was 18-15. Ramsey got all Republican votes (17) plus (1) from Democrat (Kurita).
Wilder got all the other Democrat votes (15). Indicted Sen. Jerry Cooper, who had given early indications that he would abstain from voting, voted for Wilder.
There are several reports out there now. The Tennessean. The City Paper.
I have watched Kurita over the past year---in the state senate and as an early candidate for the Democrat nomination for U. S. Senate (against Sen. Harold Ford, Jr.).
Kurita is a strong and smart person. She has common sense, and she's nobody's fool. I don't agree with her on everything, but I admire the fact that she generally doesn't waffle all over the place. She stands for something and speaks up.
This time she saw what all the men saw---that John Wilder's better days are behind him and that it was time for a change in the Senate. The difference with Kurita was that she had the, shall we say courage, to do something to make a change.
No more Speaker's prayers from John Wilder for those caught up in the corruption of the Tennessee Waltz.
Some people are in shock. Other people think that they just witnessed a miracle.
Senator Ron Ramsey (R-Blountville) defeated 85-year old John Wilder (D) for the position of Speaker of the Senate/Lt. Governor.
Many prior posts have discussed this race: here, here, and here.
In the end, it was a Democrat who gave Ramsey the boost he needed. Sen. Rosalind Kurita (D-Clarksville) cast her vote for Ramsey.
After Kurita's voted for Ramsey, Mike Williams' vote (R-Maynardville) for Ramsey didn't even matter. When Williams' vote was cast at the end of the alphabetical roll call, he knew that Ramsey already had the votes.
It was easy for Williams to re-join the Republican fold and vote for Ramsey at that point. In an earlier post today, I speculated that if Williams saw that Wilder didn't have the votes, then Williams might vote for Ramsey.
Wilder didn't have the votes (due to Kurita), and Williams voted for Ramsey.
The final tally was 18-15. Ramsey got all Republican votes (17) plus (1) from Democrat (Kurita).
Wilder got all the other Democrat votes (15). Indicted Sen. Jerry Cooper, who had given early indications that he would abstain from voting, voted for Wilder.
There are several reports out there now. The Tennessean. The City Paper.
I have watched Kurita over the past year---in the state senate and as an early candidate for the Democrat nomination for U. S. Senate (against Sen. Harold Ford, Jr.).
Kurita is a strong and smart person. She has common sense, and she's nobody's fool. I don't agree with her on everything, but I admire the fact that she generally doesn't waffle all over the place. She stands for something and speaks up.
This time she saw what all the men saw---that John Wilder's better days are behind him and that it was time for a change in the Senate. The difference with Kurita was that she had the, shall we say courage, to do something to make a change.
No more Speaker's prayers from John Wilder for those caught up in the corruption of the Tennessee Waltz.
January 9, 2007 Williams Hasn't Made Up His Mind
State Sen. Mike Williams (R-Maynardville) is talking about today's upcoming vote for Speaker of the Senate/Lt. Governor, but he's not saying much. The full story is here.
----------------------------
Summary...
The vote for Speaker of the Senate/Lt. Governor is scheduled today.
85 year-old Senator John Wilder (D) is running against Senator Ron Ramsey (R-Blountville).
There are 17 Republicans and 16 Democrats in the Tennessee State Senate. That would normally mean that a Republican would be elected Speaker of the Senate/Lt. Governor.
However, Williams, a Republican, has refused to endorse Ramsey while Wilder has stated that he has Williams' vote.
Finally, Williams himself is talking. What he is saying, though, is that he hasn't made up his mind.
When Williams was asked about Wilder's claim to have Williams' vote, he said: "I appreciate other people speaking for me, but that's not the case.... I've said I'll do what's best for the state. Maybe somebody interpreted that as meaning I'll vote for him, but I have not committed."
----------------------------
To add to the uncertainty, there are questions about whether indicted Sen. Jerry Cooper can be counted on to vote for Wilder.
Rumors are circulating that Cooper will abstain from the vote. If Wilder doesn't have a Cooper vote, then Wilder needs at least two Republicans in order to get 17 votes today.
In 2005, Williams voted for Wilder. Wilder won and rewarded Williams with the Speaker pro tem position. If a Democrat (such as Jerry Cooper) abstains today, Williams may be a bit more hesitant to vote for Wilder, that is unless Williams knows that Wilder has at least one other Republican vote and will win.
Today, all state senators, Republican and Democrat, will speak for themselves---and that includes Mike Williams.
----------------------------
Summary...
The vote for Speaker of the Senate/Lt. Governor is scheduled today.
85 year-old Senator John Wilder (D) is running against Senator Ron Ramsey (R-Blountville).
There are 17 Republicans and 16 Democrats in the Tennessee State Senate. That would normally mean that a Republican would be elected Speaker of the Senate/Lt. Governor.
However, Williams, a Republican, has refused to endorse Ramsey while Wilder has stated that he has Williams' vote.
Finally, Williams himself is talking. What he is saying, though, is that he hasn't made up his mind.
When Williams was asked about Wilder's claim to have Williams' vote, he said: "I appreciate other people speaking for me, but that's not the case.... I've said I'll do what's best for the state. Maybe somebody interpreted that as meaning I'll vote for him, but I have not committed."
----------------------------
To add to the uncertainty, there are questions about whether indicted Sen. Jerry Cooper can be counted on to vote for Wilder.
Rumors are circulating that Cooper will abstain from the vote. If Wilder doesn't have a Cooper vote, then Wilder needs at least two Republicans in order to get 17 votes today.
In 2005, Williams voted for Wilder. Wilder won and rewarded Williams with the Speaker pro tem position. If a Democrat (such as Jerry Cooper) abstains today, Williams may be a bit more hesitant to vote for Wilder, that is unless Williams knows that Wilder has at least one other Republican vote and will win.
Today, all state senators, Republican and Democrat, will speak for themselves---and that includes Mike Williams.
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
December 19, 2006 Things Get WILDER in Tn State Senate
Amazing!
A Democrat is apparently throwing his name into the ring as an alternative to current (forever?) Democrat Lt. Gov. John Wilder.
Sen. Joe Haynes (D-Nashville) recently announced that he is challenging Wilder, 85, who has served as Lt Gov/Speaker of the Senate for 36 years.
Wilder hasn't been challenged by a Democrat in 20 years.
Today's news means that even some Democrats are thinking that Wilder's 36-year tenure as speaker should end. The Democrat nominee will be selected at a Jan. 4 caucus.
Actually, it is Republicans who hold a 17-16 majority in the State Senate and the Republicans have already selected their nominee for the Lt Gov/Speaker of the Senate position, Ron Ramsey (R-Blountville).
What is keeping Ramsey from a 17-16 win in the race for Lt Gov/Speaker is Republican Sen. Mike Williams of Maynardville.
Williams, a Republican, is withholding his support from Ramsey, leaving Ramsey one vote shy of a win.
The position of Lt. Gov. is important because the person who holds that position is next in line to the governorship.
Wilder is certainly a powerful individual. Two years ago, Wilder got Williams' vote and then rewarded Williams with the position of Speaker Pro Tem.
Wilder is cranky. He is sometimes disoriented and always fiercely loyal to his political friends.
With new indictments announced today against former State Sen. John Ford, Wilder's rambling "prayer" for his Senate family after the May 2005 Tennessee Waltz arrests comes to mind.
Wilder's prayer on the floor of the Senate wasn't about enforcing the law or about the shame of corruption or about hoping that justice would be served. Wilder expressed no concern about the public. Wilder was concerned about his "family."
The Tennessean reported:
The legislature largely closed ranks around its indicted members yesterday, starting with a prayer by Lt. Gov. John Wilder condemning the tactics of federal agents who arrested seven people in the Operation Tennessee Waltz sting...
Wilder, who has been the leader of the state Senate since 1971, prayed from the well of the Senate chamber and let it be known that he considered his very family to be under attack...
"Money was being offered as bait to put somebody in jail," Wilder said in prayer to God. "That's wrong, and that's not Your way."
Earth to Wilder: Who forced members of the Senate family to take the money?
A Democrat is apparently throwing his name into the ring as an alternative to current (forever?) Democrat Lt. Gov. John Wilder.
Sen. Joe Haynes (D-Nashville) recently announced that he is challenging Wilder, 85, who has served as Lt Gov/Speaker of the Senate for 36 years.
Wilder hasn't been challenged by a Democrat in 20 years.
Today's news means that even some Democrats are thinking that Wilder's 36-year tenure as speaker should end. The Democrat nominee will be selected at a Jan. 4 caucus.
Actually, it is Republicans who hold a 17-16 majority in the State Senate and the Republicans have already selected their nominee for the Lt Gov/Speaker of the Senate position, Ron Ramsey (R-Blountville).
What is keeping Ramsey from a 17-16 win in the race for Lt Gov/Speaker is Republican Sen. Mike Williams of Maynardville.
Williams, a Republican, is withholding his support from Ramsey, leaving Ramsey one vote shy of a win.
The position of Lt. Gov. is important because the person who holds that position is next in line to the governorship.
Wilder is certainly a powerful individual. Two years ago, Wilder got Williams' vote and then rewarded Williams with the position of Speaker Pro Tem.
Wilder is cranky. He is sometimes disoriented and always fiercely loyal to his political friends.
With new indictments announced today against former State Sen. John Ford, Wilder's rambling "prayer" for his Senate family after the May 2005 Tennessee Waltz arrests comes to mind.
Wilder's prayer on the floor of the Senate wasn't about enforcing the law or about the shame of corruption or about hoping that justice would be served. Wilder expressed no concern about the public. Wilder was concerned about his "family."
The Tennessean reported:
The legislature largely closed ranks around its indicted members yesterday, starting with a prayer by Lt. Gov. John Wilder condemning the tactics of federal agents who arrested seven people in the Operation Tennessee Waltz sting...
Wilder, who has been the leader of the state Senate since 1971, prayed from the well of the Senate chamber and let it be known that he considered his very family to be under attack...
"Money was being offered as bait to put somebody in jail," Wilder said in prayer to God. "That's wrong, and that's not Your way."
Earth to Wilder: Who forced members of the Senate family to take the money?
Didn't any of the indicted Senate family have the ability and the integrity to say "no"?
Several members of Wilder's Senate family have now pled guilty or been convicted. Others are still waiting to go to trial.
Wilder himself is tied to a land deal involving State Sen. Jerry Cooper, who was indicted in August 2006.
In addition to questions about Wilder's age, his connection to the Cooper land deal may be another factor in the move by some Democrats to mount a challenge to the Head of the Senate family in 2007.
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