Republicans nominate McNally for lieutenant governor

Tennessee Senate Republicans on Thursday voted unanimously to nominate Senator Randy McNally, an Oak Ridge Republican, to the top leadership post—lieutenant governor and speaker of the Senate.

Lieutenant Governor Ron Ramsey, a Blountville Republican, will continue to hold the position until the Tennessee General Assembly convenes on January 10, when the full Senate will formally vote on his successor.

The nomination of McNally of Thursday was part of the Senate Majority Caucus leadership elections in Nashville on Thursday. The elections were for leaders in the 110th General Assembly.

“I am tremendously honored to be the nominee of my party for the position of lieutenant governor and speaker of the Senate,” said McNally, who currently serves as chairman of the Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee. “I am proud to serve with such tremendous and talented membership and am looking forward to building on the success we have seen under Lieutenant Governor Ramsey.”

McNally said fiscal responsibility is the cornerstone of success in Tennessee.

“We have cut taxes, limited spending, and balanced our budget,” McNally said. “Our state carries little debt and boasts AAA ratings from all three credit rating agencies. But we still have challenges ahead and mountains to climb. I am confident Tennessee’s best days are ahead of us. I look forward to standing before the full Senate in January, and I hope I am blessed to serve as lieutenant governor as we enter a new era of Tennessee success.”

During the Thursday election, the Senate Republican Caucus also voted unanimously to re-elect Senator Mark Norris, a Collierville Republican, for a sixth term as Senate majority leader and Senator Bill Ketron, a Murfreesboro Republican, for a fourth term as Republican Caucus chairman.

Others re-elected to leadership positions in the Senate Republican Caucus were Senator Ferrell Haile, a Gallatin Republican, as treasurer; Senator Becky Duncan Massey, a Knoxville Republican, as secretary; and Senator Mark Green, a Clarksville Republican, as chaplain.

Senate Republicans hold 28 of the 33 seats in the Tennessee Senate, providing representation to citizens in all 95 counties in the state, a press release said.

More information will be added as it becomes available.