McCormick to seek Tennessee House majority post

NASHVILLE - Rep. Gerald McCormick, R-Chattanooga, said he plans to shift his focus from the speakership to the House majority post in the Tuesday elections that swept the last vestiges of Democratic power from the state House.

"I'm not running for speaker," McCormick said. "I'm planning on running for majority leader. I believe that Glen Casada is going to be our nominee, and I believe he'll be elected. And I'll be supporting Glen."

It was unclear what other Republicans might seek the majority post.

McCormick said unofficial returns show Republicans' membership in the 99-member House went from 50 to 64 in Tuesday's elections. Democrats' numbers fell from 48 to 34.

There is one independent, Rep. Kent Williams of Elizabethton, who Democrats, whose membership was 49 in early 2009, managed to elect speaker in a surprise upset two years ago.

McCormick called Tuesday's election, which puts Tennessee Republicans in charge of the governorship and in firm control of the state House and state Senate as well as 7 of 9 Congressional seats "historic."

Now it is incumbent on legislative Republicans to "organize ourselves and govern the state, and I think that's our next order of business," he said. "I think people will be happy with what we do."

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