Category Archives: Political News

Naifeh to retire from House

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This is big news. Former House Speaker James O. “Jimmy” Naifeh, officially dubbed “Speaker Emeritus” after his record-setting tenure in the position, has decided to forgo seeking re-election, reports Andy Sher.

If you wanted a textbook example that shows the kind of fallout redistricting (as done by a partisan method) can have, here you go. Naifeh was at one time one of the most powerful people in the state. He is said to have personally shepherded many bills through the Legislature’s lower house—and quashed perhaps many more—via his strong control of House subcommittees.

In a move not terribly unlike his longtime Senate counterpart, the late Lt. Gov. John S. Wilder, Naifeh managed to hang on to power for one more session after Republicans in 2008 gained a one-seat majority in the House, even if he had to give up the gavel itself to Rep. Kent Williams. After the 2010 election, it was all over.

Now the district Naifeh has represented for nearly four decades has been drawn so that a well-placed Republican challenger might easily have defeated him; so apparently the old fox has decided to seek new hunting grounds.

And that brings up a question that surely is on some minds today: there will still be a coon supper this year, right?

Town hall crier (Hamilton County edition)

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A few town hall-type sessions and meet-and-greets are in the works this week.

The Chattanooga Tea Party is hosting a Liberty Forum at Abba’s House in Hixson on Saturday, February 25 from 1-4 p.m. Many candidates and elected officials are expected to be there, including headlining presidential candidate Rick Santorum.

On the same day, Hamilton County Commission District 3 candidate Mitzi Yates is holding a town hall meeting at the Hixson IHOP at 3:00 p.m. From the candidate’s website:

I am very interested in hearing from the residents of the district. This will be an informal discussion of the things that impact our lives every day. Come and participate in an open forum where your concerns, needs, ideas, and solutions can be heard.

On Tuesday, the Tennessee Valley Republican Women will host state party chair Chris Devaney, who will go over the process by which the president of the United States is elected. More details here.

And on Thursday, Democratic candidate Bill Taylor, who is running for his party’s nomination to the 3rd District congressional seat, will host a meet-and-greet from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Here’s the press release info:

Bill Taylor, candidate for Tennessee’s 3rd Congressional District, will meet & greet with community members on Feb. 23, 4 to 7 p.m., at STYLEBar in downtown Chattanooga.

“Rose Riley’s journey in starting her business, STYLEBar, is quintessentially American—and is exactly what those in Washington should be doing everything they can to encourage,” said Taylor. “She opted to train for a vocation and then worked in her chosen field for several years before deciding to open her own business. Since this was in 2008, banks would not lend to her, but she persevered, finding private financing, and now operates a successful salon, providing employment for several others besides herself,” Taylor noted.

“If elected to Congress, one of my key goals is to level the business playing field for entrepreneurs like Rose. We need to get the banks back in the business of lending money to those who can create the jobs Americans need,” he said.

What: Bill Taylor, Democratic Candidate for the 3rd Congressional District, Meet & Greet
When: 4 to 7 p.m., February 23
Where: STYLEBar, 191 Walnut St. (at East Aquarium Way) Chattanooga
For more information: (423) 756-2718

Congressman John Lewis notes divided past, united future

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Chris Carroll captured the essential moments from a fundraiser held by the Hamilton County Democratic Party at which U.S. Rep. John Lewis was the featured speaker.

Lewis, a Democratic congressman from Atlanta and a leader in the civil rights movement, told attendees that the Democratic Party “represents an inclusive ‘big tent’ for all comers.”

Though I was unable to attend, a kind reader supplied me with a photo from the event.

L-R: Monique Berke, Sen. Andy Berke, U.S. Rep. John Lewis

Highlight reel for Friday, Feb. 17

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Here is your week in Tennessee and Chattanooga politics, going back to last Friday.

Weston Wamp unveiled his campaign slogan and a seven-point policy platform at Monday’s Pachyderm Club meeting. Coach Zach was on-hand.

Chattanooga Mayor Ron Littlefield won a decisive victory against those who seek to recall him. Circuit Court Judge Jeff Hollingsworth ordered the cancellation of the election that had been set by the Hamilton County Election Commission. But the recall group has 30 days to appeal, so unless you hear a curvy mezzo-soprano warbling off in the distance, don’t call this “over.”

The Hamilton County Commission reversed an earlier decision and decided to hand control of PILOT funds back to the Board of Education. That didn’t sit too well with Commissioner Fred Skillern.

In the Legislature, the so-called “Don’t Say Gay” bill advanced in the Senate, while the House voted to evict Occupy Nashville from the Capitol grounds. Meanwhile, Governor Bill Haslam postponed his proposal to rescind average class size limits in Tennessee schools.

U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann introduced a bill that would freeze federal discretionary spending until 2021.

I was browsing the Scottie Mayfield campaign’s Facebook page and came across a logo whose color scheme elicited a two-word response: “Holy cow.” Take a wild guess as to the two colors.

Metro Nashville Council member Brady Banks was among those eyeing an open 20th District Senate seat. Then he went and got arrested as part of a prostitution sting.

Sen. Andy Berke held a town hall on Thursday in Chattanooga, and kept everyone wondering, still, about his electoral plans. The redrawn Senate district he serves has already attracted a GOP challenger in Rep. Vince Dean. Berke is “seriously considering” running for mayor of Chattanooga next year. Some were wondering if his would be the third announcement of a Democrat bowing out of the General Assembly this week, following Reps. Janis Sontany of Nashville and Bill Harmon of Dunlap.

The Chattanooga Tea Party announced that presidential candidate and former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum will headline their Liberty Forum on Saturday, February 25. A location has yet to be announced, as Santorum’s recent rise in statewide and national polls has many potentially interested in checking him out.

Another prominent national figure in town soon is civil rights legend and U.S. Rep. John Lewis of Atlanta. Lewis will speak at a Hamilton County Democratic Party fundraiser on Saturday, February 18 at 6:30 p.m. at Olivet Baptist Church, 740 E. Martin Luther King Boulevard, Chattanooga. Registration for the event begins at 5:30.

Early voting for the March 6 elections began on Wednesday, and continues through the 28th. Hamilton County readers, don’t forget that there are primary elections for three local offices. Likewise, there’s a county mayor primary election in Anderson County, and in other locales. The point is, don’t just go into the voting booth to pick your presidential preference without doing some homework about other races that will be on the same ballot—such as, if you’re a Republican, the convention delegates.