GOP goes with Norris for caucus chairman

The 'more assertive' senator wants Republicans to replace Speaker Wilder

By Richard Locker, Commercial Appeal
December 12, 2006

NASHVILLE -- Republicans in the state Senate dumped their caucus chairman Monday and replaced him with the more conservative Sen. Mark Norris of Collierville, who said he plans to help make the Senate's Republican majority "more assertive."

Norris' 10-5 election over Sen. Randy McNally, R-Oak Ridge, means Memphis will have a seat at the Senate Republican Caucus' top leadership table. Norris must also relinquish his chairmanship of the Transportation Committee, but he said his move into the weekly legislative leadership meetings with Gov. Phil Bredesen will be a net positive for the counties he represents: Shelby, Tipton, Lauderdale and Dyer.

The caucus also re-elected Sen. Ron Ramsey of Bristol as Senate Republican leader, and nominated him for Senate speaker. That sets up another confrontation with Sen. John Wilder, the Somerville Democrat who's held the top post since 1971.

Republicans hold a 17-16 majority in the Senate, after the loss of one seat Nov. 7, but for the second consecutive two-year term of the General Assembly, that doesn't guarantee Ramsey the speaker's office. Sen. Mike Williams, R-Maynardville, abstained when the roll was called Monday on Ramsey's nomination for speaker.

Williams was one of two Republicans who voted for Wilder in 2005 when the GOP held a similar majority, and thus kept Wilder at the helm. If Williams votes for Wilder again when the Senate convenes Jan. 9, it would virtually assure Wilder of his 19th two-year term as speaker, with authority to appoint committees and officers and who becomes governor if the chief executive dies in office.

Williams said the abstention "means I've not made up my mind yet. This is not about one party or one person. It's about what's in the best interests of the people of Tennessee."

Williams was visibly shaken when asked by reporters Monday about a letter Ramsey wrote him last month telling him that he would be a "patsy" for the Democrats if he voted for Wilder again. He cited his vocal opposition to a state income tax four years ago and said, "In my 16 years here, a lot can be said about me but I don't think anyone can call me a patsy."

Both Ramsey and Norris said they intend to try to persuade him to vote for the GOP nominee. "The people of Tennessee have spoken through two election cycles now. They wanted a Republican majority in the state Senate and a Republican speaker," Ramsey said.

"I'm just going to hope that Sen. Williams does the right thing. I believe I'll have the 17 votes by Jan. 9."

Norris' election was the only major change in the caucus' top leadership. Both Norris and McNally attributed his win to ambitions by the caucus to move in a new direction after the loss of a seat -- former senator Don McLeary in the Jackson area -- last month.

"I think there was a sense we needed to change our offense going into the 105th General Assembly. ... And I don't hesitate to speak my mind," said Norris. He said he intends to make sure Republicans have strong candidates and a strong voice on the Senate floor and in leadership meetings.

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SENATE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS OFFICERS 2007-08

Republican leader: Ron Ramsey, Bristol

Caucus chair: Mark Norris, Collierville

Republican floor leader: Bill Ketron, Murfreesboro

Secretary: Jamie Woodson, Knoxville

Treasurer: Mae Beavers, Mt. Juliet

Chaplain: Steve Southerland, Morristown

Asst. floor leaders: Paul Stanley, Germantown; Jack Johnson, Brentwood; Dewayne Bunch, Cleveland; Bo Watson, Chattanooga.