Naifeh Republican Will Vote For Democratic Comptroller

By Kleinheider Posted on January 12, 2009 at 12:04 pm

Andy Sher reports:

A Republican House member said today that he plans to support Democrat John Morgan’s bid for another two-year term as comptroller over expected GOP candidate Justin Wilson.

“I’m voting for John Morgan for comptroller,” said Rep. Kent Williams, R-Butler. Mr. Morgan has “been a tremendous help for me and my constituents,” he said “He’s been in that office a long time.”

This move by Williams was telegraphed and GOP bigs have warned the lawmaker that such a vote would mean his expulsion from the party.

Williams has long been a thorn in the side of his party having voted for Speaker Naifeh in the past and getting into public spats with more conservative members.

After the 2008 election gave Republicans a numerical majority, Williams was one of very few Republicans who made noises that he may not support a Republican Speaker. He eventually came around.

This past election cycle Williams had a conservative challenger in the primary whom was supported openly by many members of the Republican caucus. Williams also caught static for accepting campaign cash from a member of the Democratic leadership in the House.

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Tags: Comptroller, constitutional officers, Jimmy Naifeh, John Morgan, Justin Wilson, Kent Williams  

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