Naifeh Republican Whipped Into Shape

By Kleinheider Posted on November 7, 2008 at 1:01 pm

Rep. Kent Williams on his intent to vote for a Republican state House speaker:

“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.”

The man turned Harwell around in 24 hours and got Williams off his little equivocating edge in about the same amount of time. Mumpower don’t play.

Williams, of course, was one of seven “Naifeh Republicans” who voted for the Democratic speaker last session.

Williams faced a conservative challenger in his primary this year, Jerome Cochran, who was supported by more than a few Republican legislators.

The Representative also took a few hits from colleagues for taking a contribution from Democratic Rep. John Litz, a member of that party’s leadership.

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Tags: 50, Jimmy Naifeh, Kent Williams, Mumpower's a gangster, Speaker Mumpower, They wrote him a presser he couldn't refuse