TNGA House Speaker Kent Williams Kicked-Out of GOPee-wee's Playhouse Caucus

[doeriver]

WJHL-TV/AP: TN House Speaker Kent Williams Shunned By Republican Caucus
http://www.tricities.com/tri/news/local/article/ap_tn_house_speaker_kent_williams_shunned_by_republican_caucus/21261/

By JOSH SMITH
Anchor / WJHL
Published: March 5, 2009

Here’s the report from the Associated Press citing coverage in the Chattanooga Times Free Press.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Tennessee House Republicans have barred Speaker Kent Williams from a caucus meeting.



TNGA House Speaker Kent Williams
Carter County Republican-Elizabethton
District 4 — Carter County
   
Williams, of Elizabethton, was stripped of his GOP affiliation by the state party after he banded together with all 49 House Democrats to be elected speaker.
   
But the House Republican caucus didn’t bar Williams from previous caucus meetings until an unannounced Wednesday gathering where the speaker was denied access.
   
The Chattanooga Times Free Press reports on its Web site that House Republican Leader Jason Mumpower says Williams’ earlier presence made some members uncomfortable, and that “it would be best if he did not attend.“
   
If Williams is no longer a member of the House Republicans, then the GOP will give up its one-seat advantage in the House.