Tennessee Senate Republicans have elected Jack Johnson to be their next majority leader, a role that will catapult the Williamson County lawmaker to the top ranks in the state legislature and make him a key policy ally of Gov.-elect Bill Lee.
At a meeting of GOP senators held Monday, Johnson beat out Riceville Sen. Mike Bell for the No. 2 position in the state Senate. Johnson succeeds Memphis Sen. Mark Norris, who stepped down to become a federal judge.
The position will give Johnson broad say in what legislation passes the state Senate. It also includes the duty of carrying the governor’s legislative package.
Lee has said, in broad terms, that he wants to focus on vocational education and sentencing reform. Johnson says he is ready to sit down with Lee to discuss the details of those priorities and to turn them into legislation.
“You know, we are getting bits and pieces from Gov.-elect Lee,” Johnson told reporters Monday. “You heard a little bit today about some of his initiatives, but gotta start working on those specifics so we can get those bills filed.”
Johnson was first elected to the state Senate in 2006. His selection as majority leader further confirms that the Republican Party has made Middle Tennessee its stronghold: Johnson, Lee, the presumed Speaker of the House Glen Casada and incoming U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn are all from Williamson County.
Separately, Senate Republicans also elected Ken Yager, of Kingston, as their caucus chairman. And Randy McNally was re-nominated as Senate speaker and lieutenant governor.
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