TN Senate GOP unanimously nominates McNally for speaker

House GOP meets later today to pick nominee


              FILE - In this Jan. 12, 2016, file photo, state Sen. Randy McNally, R-Oak Ridge, walks past protesters lining the tunnel connecting the legislative office complex to the state Capitol on the opening day of the second session of the 109th General Assembly in Nashville, Tenn. Senate Republicans, who control 28 of 33 seats in the upper chamber of the General Assembly, are scheduled to meet Thursday, Nov. 17, 2016, to nominate their leaders. McNally has been the consensus choice to succeed Speaker Ron Ramsey, who has retired. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)
FILE - In this Jan. 12, 2016, file photo, state Sen. Randy McNally, R-Oak Ridge, walks past protesters lining the tunnel connecting the legislative office complex to the state Capitol on the opening day of the second session of the 109th General Assembly in Nashville, Tenn. Senate Republicans, who control 28 of 33 seats in the upper chamber of the General Assembly, are scheduled to meet Thursday, Nov. 17, 2016, to nominate their leaders. McNally has been the consensus choice to succeed Speaker Ron Ramsey, who has retired. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)

Tennessee House, Senate Nominations

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NASHVILLE - Tennessee Senate Republicans today unanimously nominated Sen. Randy McNally of Oak Ridge as the chamber's next speaker, a position he is certainly guaranteed to win on the chamber floor given the GOP's 28-5 dominance over Democrats in the upper chamber.

First elected to the Senate in 1986 after serving four years in the House, McNally is set to succeed current Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey, R-Blountville, who became the first Republican speaker since post-Civil War Reconstruction days.

McNally was elected without opposition. Republicans expect to elect their nominee as speaker on Jan. 10 when the 110th General Assembly convenes. The position carries the title of lieutenant governor and Ramsey serves until the Jan. 10 vote.

Later this afternoon, House majority Republicans meet in a setting that is likely to be more contentious to nominate their nominee for speaker in the lower chamber, which they will control by a 74-25 margin over Democrats.

House Speaker Beth Harwell, R-Nashville, is opposed by Rep. Jimmy Matlock, R-Lenoir City.

Rep. Mike Carter, R-Ooltewah, and Republican Caucus Chairman Glen Casada of Franklin are vying for majority leader, the chamber's No. 2 post now held by Rep. Gerald McCormick of Chattanooga who isn't seeking reelection.

The race is seen as close or at the very least both candidates have had a majority of members tell them they are supporting each of them, an impossibility but possible in the world of politics, given that it's a secret ballot and members may be afraid of giving offense to someone.

Another contest features Rep. Kevin Brooks, R-Cleveland, and Rep. Ryan Williams, R-Cookeville, who face each other for the caucus chairmanship being vacated by Casada.

Meanwhile, McNally said he doesn't see a dramatic departure from how the Senate currently operates under his tenure.

"I don't think they'll change very much," said McNally, the Senate's longer serving member and currently chairman of the Senate Finance Committee. "I think the track Gov. Ramsey laid out is an excellent one to follow. You know, I'm not looking towards a lot of changes."

He said the policy environment "will change, particularly with a President Trump and that type of situation. So there might be different things for us to deal with going forward."

Remaining top Senate officers were reelected by acclamation. They include Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris, R-Collierville, and GOP Caucus Chairman Bill Ketron of Murfreesboro.

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