State House Democrats gathered in Nashville last night to select new leadership. House Democratic Leader, Gary Odom, hung on to his post despite a last minute attempt by the governor to unseat him.
Party leaders in both the state House and Senate play an important role: they’re traditionally responsible for shepherding a governor’s priorities through the legislative process. Nashville Democrat Gary Odom was elected to do that bidding for Governor Phil Bredesen two years ago. But last week, the governor said through his spokeswoman that he has “trust issues” with Odom and campaigned to get Finance Chair Craig Fitzhugh elected to the post.
Odom held on to his position in a secret-ballot vote last night and criticized Bredesen’s actions.
“I think it was one of the cheapest shots that I have ever heard from a governor, any governor. But you know, my elections over. We’ve got a general assembly that starts in January that’s got some tough issues to deal with and I want to move ahead.”
Odom says members of the executive branch should not be interfering with caucus elections. House Republicans will gather December first to select their leadership.
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