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GOP lawmakers choose constitutional office nominees PDF Print E-mail
Written by Administrator   
Tuesday, 13 January 2009 07:09
House and Senate Republicans nominated their choices for the state’s constitutional offices on Monday, selecting Shelby County Commissioner David Lillard Jr. for treasurer, former State Rep. Tre’ Hargett for secretary of state and tax attorney Justin Wilson for comptroller. “I expect we’ll elect all three of them on Wednesday,” said House Majority Leader Jason Mumpower, of Bristol, who is likely to be elected speaker on Tuesday.

The vote took place in the stifling Old Supreme Court Chambers, which was packed with onlookers and staffers anxious to see who is likely to fill the offices. The positions collectively oversee dozens of key government functions, from elections to pension investment to auditing.

The House and Senate will meet in a joint session Wednesday to elect the three officers. Because Republicans now have a 69-63 majority in the General Assembly, their candidates are likely to prevail.

The Democrats have nominated the current three office holders: Comptroller John Morgan, Treasurer Dale Sims and Secretary of State Riley Darnell.

A committee set up to vet the GOP candidates and winnow down the lists of applicants — five for treasurer, eight for secretary of state and one for comptroller — ultimately was unable to agree on which of the candidates to recommend, and put all 14 names up before Republican lawmakers for a vote.

Some of the greatest suspense was over the treasurer nomination. Lillard, who is also a board member of the Shelby County retirement system, prevailed over Ira Brody, an investment banker seen as a favorite among House leaders.

The GOP’s vetting process snagged in part because of division over the treasurer applicants. Many top senators preferred Lillard, while House leaders wanted Brody, who has donated generously to House members. Some lawmakers also had concerns about his business dealings.

Brody left quickly after the vote, and declined to comment.

Hargett, who is now a director at the Tennessee Regulatory Authority, is well liked among his former colleagues in the House, although former Sen. Jim Bryson also had many allies and lobbied hard for the position.

“It was a very hard-fought race, the other candidates campaigned very hard, and I’m honored to be chosen,” said Hargett, between congratulations from lawmakers.

Wilson, a former deputy to Gov. Don Sundquist, was the only candidate for comptroller.

 

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