Tennessee Republican Party Rebuffs Tea Party Challenge For Leadership, Again

Tennessee House Speaker Beth Harwell bested a tea-party opponent on Wednesday to again take the help of the legislature’s lower chamber. Credit: Governor’s Office

House Speaker Beth Harwell easily beat her opponent on Wednesday for control of the state’s lower chamber, marking the second time in a week that the Tennessee Republican Party overwhelmed a tea party effort to get into leadership.

Harwell pitched herself to the Republican caucus members as someone who can bridge divides, not further fracture the party.

Challenger Rick Womick took another tack. His message centered on keeping political distance between the legislature and Gov. Haslam. Too often, Womick said, Haslam meddles in the affairs of state lawmakers. In particular, the governor’s “flagging” of bills amount to a default veto, Womick said.

Caucus members sided 57 to 15 with Harwell. The full House will vote on the next speaker Jan. 13.

After the tally, Womick, who has called Haslam a “traitor” to the Republican party over his stance on Common Core and other issues, said he’ll continue his fight against the governor. The governor wielding outsize influence over legislative actions needs to stop, he argues.

“As long as he keeps doing that, I’m going to be a very outspoken member of this House,” Womick told reporters. “And I’m gonna hold the speaker, who I will support — but I’m gonna hold her accountable that she protects our members and tells this governor to stop.”

When pressed, Harwell lifted a line from Ronald Reagan, saying she will speak no ill of a fellow Republican.

Last Saturday, Tennessee Republican Party Chairman Chris Devaney defeated a tea party challenger to keep his position.