McCormick drops bid for re-election, says he’ll resign House seat effective Oct. 1
Republican state Rep. Gerald McCormick of Chattanooga says he will resign his House District 26 seat effective Oct. 1 and withdraw immediately as a candidate for re-election, reports the Times Free Press. The former House majority leader said he decided to leave the legislature after 14 years to take a new job based in Nashville.
McCormick buys Nashville home, still found qualified to run as state rep in Chattanooga
Gerald McCormick, who is a former House majority leader and eyeing a run for House speaker next year, bought a home in Nashville last year but still has been declared qualified to run for re-election as a state representative in Chattanooga, reports the Times Free Press.
With an eye on becoming House speaker, Casada budgets $200K to help elect favored Republican reps
House Majority Leader Glen Casada has budgeted more than $200,000 in spending by his political action committee as part of an “aggressive strategy” to elect Republican representatives this year and — perhaps not so coincidentally – help him get elected as the House speaker by those winning the races, reports Andy Sher.
Casada is one of at least four current Republican legislators eyeing a run to succeed current House Speaker Beth Harwell, who is not seeking reelection to the House this year and instead running for governor. The other three are Rep. Gerald McCormick, a former majority leader; House Speaker Pro Tempore Curtis Johnson and Rep. David Hawk, currently assistant majority leader.
Haslam backs state legislator for mayor over educator opponent
Gov. Bill Haslam has endorsed the election of state Rep. Kevin Brooks as mayor of Cleveland, joining outgoing mayor Tom Rowland and other area officials at a campaign rally Friday, reports the Cleveland Daily Banner.
Rowland announced in January he would retire as mayor and support Brooks (R-Cleveland) as his successor and Brooks announced at the same time he would not seek reelection to the legislature. The situation has “raised eyebrows of some in the community,” says the Banner – especially those of Duane Schriver, a former teacher and school principal who is opposing Brooks.
Former legislator loses current job after accessing confidential records for political smear
Former state Rep. Chad Faulkner (R-Luttrell) as resigned his position with the Loudon County Sheriff’s office after being confronted with evidence he accessed confidential records used as part of a political smear campaign against Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett’s congressional campaign, reports the News Sentinel.
Legislator’s relative, others lose jobs in shutdown of Fall Creek Falls State Park Inn
Fewer than half the state employees who lost their jobs when the Fall Creek Falls State Park’s Inn and Conference Center was closed — months before its scheduled demolition to make way for building a new $30 million facility – got new state jobs and some of those who did are paid less and face a much longer drive, reports Sam Stockard. Some are blaming state officials for poor planning.
Rep. Jones loses bid for Juvenile Court clerk to former Nashville councilman
Former Metro Nashville Councilman Lonnell Matthews Jr. won the Democratic nomination as Davidson County Juvenile Court Clerk on Tuesday with state Rep. Sherry Jones finishing second in the five-candidate contest.
Matthews had 25,073 votes to Jones’ 22,517 with Michael Joyner third with 10,407. Winning the Democratic nomination is tantamount to victory in the August general election since no Republican sought the office.
Note: Full election results from the Davidson County primary elections are HERE.
Rep. Marc Gravitt wins GOP nod as Hamilton County register of deeds
State Rep. Marc Gravitt won the Republican nomination as Hamilton County register of deeds Tuesday, defeating Randy Johnston 7,085 votes to 4,981, reports the Times Free Press.
Rep. Alexander wins GOP nomination as Franklin County mayor
State Rep. David Alexander defeated two fellow Republicans Tuesday to win his party nomination for Franklin County mayor, reports the Winchester Herald Chronicle.
When all 19 precincts were counted, Alexander held a 1,724-846 lead over (David) Van Buskirk with (Eric) Trussell in third place with 394 votes.
Alexander will be facing Democrat Eddie Clark in the Aug. 2 general election. Clark was running unopposed in the Democratic primary. He received 1,173 complementary votes.
