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.