Breaking News: The House has reconvened after a recess and voted for Carter County Rep. Kent Williams (R) as the Speaker of the Tennessee House of Representatives.
The vote was in favor of Williams with 50 votes to Rep. Jason Mumpower's 49 votes.
The race was close in the House, where Republicans have a one-seat majority. Kent Williams is the first Republican speaker of the Tennessee House in 40 years.
After the election of Williams, Rep. Mumpower requested that the Republicans be allowed a 30-minute recess before the voting took place for Speaker Pro Tempore.
In the Senate, Ron Ramsey was again elected Senate Speaker.
Selecting new speakers was among the first business as the legislature got started Tuesday with Republicans positioned to take
control of both chambers.
Ramsey, of Blountville, defeated Democratic Senate Minority Leader Jim Kyle of Memphis in a 19-14 vote along party lines.
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The 106th Tennessee General Assembly convened at 1:00pm. Shortly after the session began, Democrats asked for a 30 minute recess.
News Channel 11's George Jackson is at the State Capitol and told us things got a little heated shortly before the recess was requested.
Two East Tennessee Republicans are poised to take control of the House and Senate. State Senator Ron Ramsey of Sullivan County is expected to be re-appointed Speaker of the Senate making him Lieutenant Governor. Republicans also nominated Sullivan County Representative Jason Mumpower for speaker of the House.
Your Tri-Cities News Source will have more updates as they become available.
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