State Dems Still Reorganizing

While the Republican Party is trying to reinvent itself at the national level, in Tennessee, it’s the Democrats who are doing the soul-searching.

The Republicans won the State Senate two years ago and this year, the house. It’s the first time in about 140 years that the Republicans control both houses at once. At a gathering of the House Democratic Caucus in Nashville last night, the resounding question was how to win back control in 2010.

One proposal discussed last night would create new positions within the caucus to help recruit candidates and raise money.

Newly-elected Caucus Chair Mike Turner says he wants three assistant chairs to represent East, Middle and West Tennessee.

“I live in Middle Tennessee so it’s a little easier, but still, that’s a six and a half hour drive for me to go to Kingsport. So, you know, those type things. So we’ll have somebody on the ground in those areas to help democrats in those areas.”

House Democrats will take up the proposal when they return in January. House Republicans will nominate their leadership in Nashville on December first.