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Bell, Johnson square off today for Tennessee Senate’s No. 2 post

The Tennessee General Assembly, shown being addressed by Gov. Bill Haslam, is the finish line for legislative candidates in the upcoming August primary and November general election.
The Tennessee General Assembly, shown being addressed by Gov. Bill Haslam, is the finish line for legislative candidates in the upcoming August primary and November general election. The Tennessee General Assembly, shown being addressed by Gov. Bill Haslam, is the finish line for legislative candidates in the upcoming August primary and November general election.

By Andy Sher 6 min read

photo Mike Bell
photo Sen. Jack Johnson, R-Franklin, speaks with a colleague on the Senate floor in Nashville, Tenn., on Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2011. Johnson is sponsoring a bill to do away with teachers’ collective bargaining rights in Tennessee. (AP Photo/Erik Schelzig)

NASHVILLE – When Tennessee Senate majority Republicans meet to pick their leaders today for the new 111th General Assembly, the focus won’t be so much on Speaker Randy McNally of Oak Ridge, who has no announced opponent and is expected to be a cinch to re-nominated to the GOP-dominated chamber’s No. 1 post.

Look for the action instead in the contests for Republicans’ now-vacant No. 2 post – majority leader – and the No. 3 job of caucus chair.

The hottest race is seen as that for Republican majority leader, the second most powerful job in the 33-member Senate. The seat was left vacant this month when then-Leader Mark Norris resigned after finally being confirmed in October by the U.S. Senate for a federal judgeship in West Tennessee.

Hoping to succeed Norris are Senate Government Operations Committee Chairman Mike Bell of Riceville, whose district includes part of Bradley County, and Commerce and Labor Committee Chairman Jack Johnson of Franklin, south of Nashville.

The leader serves as Republican senators’ chief presence on the Senate floor, is the party’s policy spokesman and also has the major responsibility for handling a governor’s legislation when they are of the same party.