NASHVILLE — Tennessee House Speaker Jimmy Naifeh said today that he remains a candidate for the speakership in January despite Republicans’ recently won majority in the chamber.
“I sure am,” said Speaker Naifeh, D-Covington, who with 18 years in the job is the longest-serving House speaker in Tennessee history.
Rep. Naifeh, who became speaker in 1991, hopes to overcome the 50-49 majority Republicans won on Nov. 4. The GOP picked up four seats previously held by Democrats.
The powerful speaker, who is hoping to peel one or more Republicans away, suffered another blow Tuesday when all 50 Republicans pledged in writing to vote for a Republican speaker. Current Republican Leader Jason Mumpower of Bristol is the only candidate.
Asked by the Chattanooga Times Free Press whether he expected to win, Rep. Naifeh, 68, replied, “Well, I’m running.”
He then disappeared into his office with a number of House Democrats and Pat Miller, a top aide to Democratic Gov. Phil Bredesen.
Meanwhile, House Majority Leader Rep. Gary Odom, D-Nashville, recently announced he is running for House minority leader.
Democrats still are reeling from the expected GOP takeover of the House, which will allow a Republican speaker to decide who serves on committees and who heads them, a major aid in controlling what proposed laws pass and do not pass.
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When you give ultimatims, you get ultimatims.
When you tell people with whom to associate, they deny you.
You cannot abuse and not expect be abused.
You have had a long run, it is time for you to go home.
Jimmy Naifeh, please step down like a gentleman.