Camper elected minority leader in Tennessee House

Rep. Karen Camper (D-Memphis) speaks tp reporters on Nov. 25, 2018, after her elected as House minority leader. (Erik Schelzig, Tennessee Journal)

Fellow Democrats have elected state Rep. Karen Camper of Memphis to be the House minority leader for the 111th General Assembly. Camper is the first African-American to be elected the chamber’s Democratic leader.

Camper will also be the Democrats’ nominee for speaker. The Army veteran has served in the House since 2008.

Camper defeated Reps. Bo Mitchell of Nashville and Johnnie Shaw of Bolivar for the position.

“I am honored by the faith the caucus has shown in me and I pledge to bring the type of aggressive leadership needed to advance legislation that promotes the Democratic agenda, such as quality health care and economic opportunities for all Tennesseans,” she said in a statement.

Rep. Mike Stewart of Nashville was unopposed in his re-election as Democratic caucus chair. Democrats hold 26 of the 99 seats in the House.

Congratulations to @camperrep on being elected as Tennessee House Minority Leader and to @repmikestewart on your reelection as Democratic Caucus Chair. I look forward to working with you both this session.

— Bill Lee (@BillLeeTN) November 25, 2018

Congratulations Representative Camper. I look forward to working with you on policy issues beneficial to our entire state and every Tennessean. https://t.co/vvki2zBExS

— William Lamberth (@WilliamLamberth) November 25, 2018

Y’all, please join me in congratulating the NEW Minority Leader for the Tennessee House of Representatives, Leader Karen Camper! So proud to have Leader Camper at the helm of the House Democrats. This is history-making, ceiling-shattering, legacy-building news! #TNleg pic.twitter.com/DNXSluBN7o

— Senator Raumesh Akbari (@RepAkbari) November 25, 2018