Naifeh's Hopes Dwindling

Any hopes that Speaker Jimmy Naifeh was going to be able to find a rogue Republican to vote for him may have died with the announcement that Rep. Kent Williams will be voting for a Republican Speaker of the House.

“I want to state today, unequivocally, that I pledge to vote for a Republican for Speaker of the House. I have every reason to expect that the Republican nominee will be Leader Jason Mumpower. We are grateful that the people of Tennessee have given us the opportunity to lead. We will make them proud.”

If Naifeh does not manage to become Speaker, I would be surprised if he finishes out his term. From what I understand, he was considering retiring a few years ago, but didn't want to go out on bad terms over the State Income tax debacle. Now that he no longer is "Speaker Naifeh," being one of 99 other legislators probably doesn't outweigh his desire to spend time with his grand kids.