Tennessee: GOP could face divide in electing state officials

By: Andy Sher, Chattanooga Times Free Press
December 22, 2008

NASHVILLE — As Tennessee Republicans prepare to use their newly won majorities to take over the General Assembly in January, one test of their new political strength — replacing the state’s three Democratic constitutional officers with Republicans — could prove problematic.

Rep. Kent Williams, R-Butler, said last week he sees no reason why GOP members should replace Comptroller John Morgan, Treasurer Dale Sims and Secretary of State Riley Darnell.

“They’re good people. They do a good job,” Rep. Williams said. “If we can find somebody who does a better job, let’s go with it. ... Let’s just not do it because it’s Republican (versus) Democrat.”

Tennessee’s three constitutional officers’ individual duties include auditing government agencies, running elections and deciding how the state invests billions of dollars. They are elected by the 132 members of the General Assembly.

It’s unclear how widespread Rep. Williams’ sentiment about not swapping Republicans for Democrats is. Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris, R-Collierville, acknowledged that, while the interview process showed “there are a number of people who can do the jobs,” one or even two of the Democrats “might” get re-elected to the positions.

Some Republican lawmakers say it is only fair that they get to name their own, and they note that Mr. Morgan, Mr. Sims and Mr. Darnell worked on behalf of Democratic candidates.

“I think there are people who like them,” said Sen. Bo Watson, R-Hixson. “One of the problems they ran into, they actively campaigned against” Republicans.

All three recently were renominated by the House and Senate Democratic Caucuses. Mr. Morgan said the three have only “in a fairly limited way been politically active.” He said he stopped going to events in districts where Democrats challenge GOP incumbents.

Tennessee Republican Party Chairman Robin Smith said her interpretation of party bylaws allows executive committee members to challenge a GOP lawmaker’s ability to run again as a Republican if a vote is cast for the Democrats. But such action would have to be taken in consultation with legislative leaders, she said.

In the November elections, Republicans boosted their numbers in the state Senate and won control of the House, with the GOP having 69 members and the Democrats 63. To elect one of the three constitutional officers, 67 votes are required.

Rep. Williams questioned why some House Republican Caucus members opposed Rep. Steve McDaniel, R-Lexington, as House speaker pro tem “because he voted for a state income tax.”

“And we’ve got a (Republican) candidate for comptroller who is the godfather of the income tax,” he said.

The lone GOP candidate for comptroller is Justin Wilson, a tax attorney and major GOP donor. He was former Republican Gov. Don Sundquist’s deputy when Mr. Sundquist unsuccessfully pushed for a state income tax.