Tennessee: Mumpower confident he will take House reins

NASHVILLE — House Republican Leader Jason Mumpower said he feels “very, very good” that he will be elected the Tennessee House’s first GOP speaker in 38 years, but is “taking nothing for granted.”

“You’re not going to hear me jinx it and talk about it in any other fashion,” said the Bristol legislator.

He said he remembers what happened four years ago to his ally and political mentor, Sen. Ron Ramsey, R-Blountville. Sen. Ramsey led Senate Republicans to a majority in the 2004 elections only to see the long-reigning Senate Democratic speaker, John Wilder, keep the reins of power through the defections of two Republicans.

“So I’m leaving no stone unturned and taking no chances,” Rep. Mumpower said.

Two years later, Sen. Ramsey was able to make his majority stick and become speaker, which also carries the title of lieutenant governor.

Now, Rep. Mumpower and House Republicans, who won a razor-thin 50-49 majority in November, plan to do the same and oust current Democratic Speaker Jimmy Naifeh in the 106th General Assembly that begins Tuesday.

Rep. Naifeh, who has been speaker for 18 years, said he believes he can succeed in persuading one or more Republicans and retain his hold on power.

“I’m running for speaker. I plan to be successful on Tuesday,” he told reporters.

He said the state needs “effective leadership” given the current recession, which could produce up to a $1 billion shortfall in the state budget and result in draconian cuts across much of government.

If Rep. Mumpower succeeds — as many in the legislature believe he will — it would mean GOP control of the General Assembly for the first time in 140 years and usher in a new era, Republican and Democratic lawmakers said.

“I think there are a number of different areas we will see changes in,” said Rep. Gerald McCormick, R-Chattanooga.

Rep. McCormick and other Republicans say those changes include more business-friendly legislation, relaxing restrictions on who can attend charter schools and making it legal for handgun permit holders to bring their weapons to parks and restaurants selling liquor.

Republicans also are talking about pushing a state constitutional amendment that would grant lawmakers the ability to ban abortions should the U.S. Supreme Court ever overturn Roe v. Wade.

And GOP House and Senate members hope to oust state Comptroller John Morgan, Treasurer Dale Sims and Secretary of State Riley Darnell — all Democrats — and replace them with Republicans. The 132 members of the General Assembly fill the positions and, because Republicans have 50 House members and 19 senators, they have a majority.

Rep. Tommie Brown, D-Chattanooga, said she assumes Rep. Mumpower has the votes and predicted “sweeping change” both in the legislature and the types of laws that pass — or don’t pass.

“I’m sure we’ll all be swept out,” said Rep. Brown, a 16-year veteran who is now vice chairwoman of the House Education Committee. “And there will be critical policy changes.”

She predicted if Republicans gain control, “it will be a circus.”

Tennessee’s 106th General Assembly convenes at noon on Tuesday.