Republicans Sweep Constitutional Officers Elections
Posted on January 15, 2009 at 11:43 amAnd there was much rejoicing. From TNGOP Communications Guru Bill Hobbs:
The Tennessee Republican Party adds its voice today to those praising the election of a new Secretary of State, Comptroller and Treasurer for the great state of Tennessee.
The legislature, meeting in joint session today, elected Secretary of State Tre Hargett, Comptroller Justin Wilson and Treasured David Lillard, the constitutional officer nominees selected by an unprecedented selection process designed by the new Republican legislative majority. That process included an open application period and public hearings.
During the last 140 years of Democratic control of the legislature and, therefore, the process of selecting constitutional officers, there was no public application or vetting process and no opportunity for public input. In recent years, the bitter fruit of that backroom-deal style of politics was evident as the Democratic appointees in those positions became increasingly partisan and politicized.
“Secretary of State Hargett, Comptroller Wilson and Treasurer Lillard are all fine public servants of high personal, professional and ethical standards and achievements who have already served their state well, and Tennessee is blessed to have them serving now in these very important roles,” said Robin Smith, Chairman of the Tennessee Republican Party. “The open and honest selection process created by the Republican majority has served the state well.”
Comments
7 Responses to “Republicans Sweep Constitutional Officers Elections”
So the Republicans now have Wilson, the godfather of the state income tax, in place as the state’s “money cop,” his title. How long before the Republicans again begin to push for a state income tax?
Did I read that correctly? Bill Hobbs actually wrote a sentence with the word “Democratic” in it? Not once but twice? Dang there really IS change in the air.
Is Frank Luntz no longer fining Republicans who stray from approved GOP-speak? Or maybe Robin Smith read my blog post on the Kent Williams ambush.
These offices need to be elected by the people rather than the legislature. Tennessee needs to get rid of this outdated spoils system.
At any rate, there’s as much danger as there is possibility for any incoming official and their party in these times. I like the way things are shaping up in terms of positioning political arguments for 2010 even if I don’t like the appointments.
Yes, and I agreed with Kurita on this. Ramsey supported this; well, he did until the Republicans got control of both houses. If a bill like this were to come up now, I suspect it would be smothered.
No, I can’t imagine our perfectly coiffed Lt. Governor supporting this now. Perhaps, if the bill included discounts to the manicurist and day spa of his choice he could be persuaded?
Hypocrisy, thy name is Hobbs. He speaks about “politicized” offices while taking a swipe at Democrats in a “politicized” press release. Both sides play politics; Hobbs is one of the few that pretends only one side does.
And of course there was no ‘backroom-deal style of politics’ in the effort by the state GOP to impose Ira Brody on the Treasurer’s Office. No backroom deals about contributions made directly or directed by any of the new constitutional officers.