Mumpower won't seek re-election

NASHVILLE - House Majority Leader Jason Mumpower, R-Bristol, announced today he will not seek reelection. The 36-year-old lawmaker has scheduled a news conference to discuss the move.

After Republicans gained control of the House in 2008 elections, Republicans assumed that Rep. Mumpower would become speaker.

Instead, Rep. Kent Williams, a Carter County Republican, cut a deal with all 49 House Democrats and along with his own vote received the necessary 50 votes to become speaker, infuriating both Rep. Mumpower and the other 48 Republicans.