Speaker Williams: “I Probably Broke My Promise”
Posted on January 14, 2009 at 7:27 amTom Humphrey reports that Speaker Williams concedes that he did violate his signed pledge to support Republican for both Speaker and Speaker Pro Tempore:
Williams said that “I probably did violate my promise,” but that it was outweighed by a desire for change that would bring bipartisan fairness to the Legislature while protecting employees.
“I believe history will record that this was a great thing for the state of Tennessee,” he said.
Williams said he would push for passage of a proposed anti-abortion amendment to the state constitution that has been killed in Naifeh-appointed committees in past years after winning approval in the Republican-controlled Senate.
While saying he still considers himself a Republican and will not become a Democrat, Williams acknowledged that he may be banished from the GOP.
“If they don’t want me in the Republican party, fine. I’ll be an Independent,” he told reporters.
Odom, a Carter County native, said he was in Elizabethton visiting his mother over Thanksgiving weekend, met Williams for coffee at Williams’ restaurant and brought up the possibility of him becoming speaker. Rep. John Litz, D-Morristown, also began a series of conversations with Williams.
But Odom, Naifeh and other Democrats said the prospect of a Williams’ candidacy was not considered seriously until late Monday. At that point, Naifeh said he realized he was not going to be re-elected to a 10th term as speaker and decided to back Williams “in the best interest of the state” and legislative employees.
SEE ALSO: Ken Whitehouse’s excellent coverage of the day at the City Paper.
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