Maynardville senator holds key vote {Will Mike Williams vote for John Wilder, again?}

Knoxville News Sentinel ^ | 1/9/7 | Tom Humphrey

[SmithL]

NASHVILLE - Contrary to the claims of some leading Democrats, state Sen. Mike Williams said Monday he has made no commitment to vote for the re-election of John Wilder as lieutenant governor today.

Gov. Phil Bredesen, meanwhile, said he will stay completely out of the lieutenant governor's contest between Democrat Wilder and Senate Republican Leader Ron Ramsey unless it evolves into "something like a terrible deadlock that was damaging the state."

"Do I look so stupid as to get myself involved with that?" Bredesen said when asked if he would favor the Democratic candidate. "We will work with whoever emerges."

Williams, a Maynardville Republican, holds the key vote in deciding whether to extend Democrat Wilder's record 36-year reign or end it by electing Ramsey as the first Republican speaker of the Tennessee Senate since 1869.

Republicans hold a 17-16 majority, and Ramsey says all Republicans except Williams are "rock solid" for him.

There is a possibility that neither Wilder nor Ramsey will get the 17-vote majority in the first vote today. If there is a deadlock, legislative leaders said Monday the Senate will likely continue voting for as long as necessary - even if the process drags on for days.

In 1881, senators went through 99 ballots over a period of four days before one candidate, George Morgan, finally got a majority to become Senate speaker and lieutenant governor - apparently the state record, according to research by former legislative staffer Jesse Hughes.

Williams, who joined his GOP colleagues at a Senate Republican Caucus meeting Monday afternoon, had not previously commented on contentions by Wilder and Senate Democratic Caucus Chairman Joe Haynes that Williams has pledged to back one of them over Ramsey. Wilder said the promise came "face-to-face."

"I appreciate other people speaking for me, but that's not the case," Williams said when asked about the claims. "I've said I'll do what's best for the state. Maybe somebody interpreted that as meaning I'll vote for him, but I have not committed."

Asked whom he would support today, Williams said, "I'm not saying."

Curiously, Williams will also be presiding over the election of the lieutenant governor because he holds the office of Speaker pro tempore - appointed to the position by Wilder two years ago.

If Wilder gets the votes of all 16 Democrats senators, plus Williams, he would have the 17-vote majority needed to win a 19th two-year term as speaker. But Democratic Sen. Jerry Cooper of Morrison has reportedly told colleagues he will abstain rather than vote for Wilder.

If Cooper abstains and Williams votes for Wilder, both men would wind up with 16 votes - one short of the majority needed.

Legislative leaders said Monday that, if that occurs, the Senate would basically be unable to conduct any other business under applicable rules until someone emerges with 17 votes.

[Jen from Tn.]

I am not holing out any hope that Williams will vote for Ramsey. He will vote for Booger-Picker Wilder again.Sigh

[SmithL]

Lookie, Lookie: Republican Ramsey elected speaker of Tennessee Senate (WILDER IS OUT)