Republican Janice Bowling off Tennessee GOP leadership panel

photo Republican Janice Bowling
Arkansas-Tennessee Live Blog

NASHVILLE -- Elected to the state Senate in November, Republican Janice Bowling, of Tullahoma, automatically lost her position on the GOP's State Executive Committee after missing her third consecutive meeting over the weekend, an official confirmed Monday.

On Saturday, GOP Chairman Chris Devaney told executive committee members the move was required by the party's bylaws, attendees said.

The state GOP's political director, Michael Sullivan, on Monday confirmed Bowling had been removed.

"This is all just standard operating procedures according the bylaws of the state party and was in no way a removal of office for any other reason than the automatic trigger of three consecutive absences," Sullivan said.

Efforts to reach Bowling on Monday were unsuccessful. The removal from the Republican State Executive Committee does not affect her status as an elected senator.

In November, she defeated Democrat Jim Lewis of Marion County in the Senate District 16 contest.

A panel has been named to recommend a replacement at the committee's next meeting.

Contact staff writer Andy Sher at 615-255-0550 or asher@timesfreepress.com.

Upcoming Events