The Republican Party’s State Executive Committee took a deep breath today and gave itself 10 days before taking any action against Representative Kent Williams. Williams, a second-term Republican, became Speaker of the Tennessee House after teaming with all 49 Democrats to win the leadership spot, outflanking his own party.
Immediately the state GOP began receiving calls to oust Williams from their ranks, saying he lied to party leaders and fellow members about his intentions.
Lance Frizzell is a member of the State Executive Committee and is an assistant to Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey. He says the committee wanted to “not act in haste.” Hence,
the 10 day waiting period.
Although Republicans complain that Williams deceived his party to become Speaker, it may be his vote for Speaker pro-tem Lois DeBerry that causes his ouster.
“Mr. Williams voted for a Democrat speaker pro tem, which may have violated the bylaws, so I would think that might be an issue, So if that’s the case and the bylaws do directly address that, and he’s violated a Republican, a state Republican Party bylaw, then my assumption would be appropriate to strip him of the party affiliation.”
Party officials say more than two dozen challenges have been filed against Williams.
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Frizzell says he spent a half hour in a telephone meeting with other Executive Committee members, setting the stage for action against Williams.
“There’s possible outcomes: He could be stripped of his affiliation, he could not be stripped of his affiliation, the main thrust was, ‘Let’s not act in haste, within 24 hours after the fact. Let’s get input from the other committee members, and the public – and certainly the caucus members of both the House and the Senate Republican Caucus.’ We’re very interested in their input. And then come back and make a decision in 10 days.”
Frizzell says the state executive committee is an appropriate place to deal with whether Williams can still be counted as a Republican.
“Frankly it is a party issue, rather than a governance issue, for lack of a better word? So I think it is more appropriate to have it handled in the party arena, than the caucus arena.”
In July 2008 Kent Williams drew fire from his colleagues in the House GOP caucus when they discovered he had accepted a $250 contribution from a Democrat, Rep. John Litz.
The following is a press release issued by House Republicans in July 2008, when Williams was staving off a challenge by former Representative Jerome Cochran. Williams beat Cochran in the Republican primary in 2006 and again in 2008, but the Republicans listed below backed Cochran in the local primary.
“This is an outrage,” said State Representative Eric Swafford (R-Pikeville). “It is a slap in the face to his colleagues in the House Republican Caucus. By accepting this money from a leader in the House Democratic Caucus, it seems that Rep. Williams is saying that he is okay with the Democrats killing common-sense proposals like SJR 127 and legislation that protects our Second Amendment rights.”
State Representative Chris Crider (R-Milan) cited Williams’ vote in January of 2007 for House Speaker Jimmy Naifeh, adding that this vote, coupled with the monetary donation from a member of the House Democratic Caucus, shows where he stands on the issues. “You can’t claim to be pro-life and pro-Second Amendment, and then support and take money from those who repeatedly stop legislation that supports those values,” said Representative Mike Bell (R-Riceville).
All candidates are required to file campaign financial disclosure reports periodically, which are public record. All donations above $100 must be reported. Representative Frank Nicely (R-Strawberry Plains) said that after the most recent filing deadline on July 10th, the donation to Williams showed up on his disclosure statement.
Swafford concluded, “I think we know where Kent Williams’ intentions and loyalties lie. They are certainly not on the side of conservative values.”
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