Republicans finally got a Speaker of the House, but not the one they wanted on Tuesday afternoon. Republican Kent Williams of Carter County voted for himself and got the support of all 49 Democrats to hold off Rep. Mumpower, who was the expected choice.

Republicans booed as the votes were tallied and they realized that Democrats, under former longtime House Speaker Jimmy Naifeh, had engineered the surprise maneuver.

All 50 Republicans, including Rep. Williams, had signed a pledge agreeing to vote for a Republican for House Speaker.

Some GOP members called Rep. Williams a "liar" and other epithets.

Later Tuesday, 18 members of the Tennessee Republican Party State Executive Committee signed a written document that was presented to Tennessee Republican Party Chairman Robin Smith. It challenged the "bona fide" status of Rep. Williams as a Republican.

Republicans said the action, which triggers a review under party bylaws, "comes after Williams broke his signed oath (and multiple verbal promises reported in various media and made to various Republican lawmakers and party officials even as recently as Tuesday morning) to vote for the House Republican Caucus nominee for Speaker, Rep. Jason Mumpower."

"Williams put personal ambition ahead of honor and lied his way into the Speaker's chair," said Bill Hobbs, communications director for the Tennessee Republican Party. "Elected by Republican voters in the historic 2008 elections that saw Republicans win a majority of House seats for the first time since 1868, Rep. Williams chose to betray his party and his constituents. Party bylaws – which Williams was aware of - provide a clear and straightforward process for the challenge to Williams' status as a bona fide Republican as a result of his actions today. We expect the process will move quickly."

He said if Rep. Williams is stripped of his status as a member of the Republican Party, he will not be permitted to run on the Republican ballot in 2010.

Committee members said they presented their challenges pursuant to the Tennessee Republican Party bylaws. “Action will begin immediately to address the actions of Rep. Kent Williams,” responded Chairman Smith.

She said, “His commitment today was not to Republican principles, but to the blind and shameless pursuit of personal power. He cast his vote for a pro-tax, pro-gay, pro-abortion, anti-gun liberal Democrat to preside in leadership against all 49 of his Republican colleagues.

“This challenge will move swiftly to honor the character and integrity of the 49 members of the Republican House Caucus who stand committed to the Republican principles and the voters who support them. Acting like Ronald Reagan in Carter County but Jimmy Carter in the Capitol has resulted in an official challenge of Mr. Williams's status as a party member.

"I look forward to the work ahead with our state leadership to strengthen our party, grow our party and honor the wishes of Tennesseans by electing a true Republican as Speaker of the Tennessee House.”

Mr. Hobbs said, "If Rep. Williams is stripped of his membership in the Republican Party in a process in accordance with the bylaws of the Tennessee Republican Party, the party will insist that Speaker Williams no longer be referred to in media accounts or state government websites as a Republican."

Gov. Phil Bredesen said, "I offer my congratulations to Lt. Governor Ramsey and Speaker Williams on their election to leadership positions today. I look forward to working with them and members of the House and Senate to address the needs of our state on a bipartisan basis. Now that we are past the drama of today, I ask all members of the General Assembly to join with me in leading in a manner that serves the best interests of the people of Tennessee.

"Lt. Governor Ramsey and I have shared a respectful and productive relationship during my time as Governor, especially since he became Lt. Governor two years ago. He has provided strong leadership in the Senate, and I look forward to continuing to work with him and his members in the coming months.

"I have enjoyed working with Speaker Williams during his time in the General Assembly, especially his service last year on the Joint Study Committee on Long Term Care, and congratulate him on his election as Speaker today. I know he is reasonable, intelligent and fair and will serve admirably as Speaker of the House.

"I feel certain that the natural tensions of today will dissolve quickly and we'll quickly turn our attention to a productive, bipartisan legislative session that addresses the serious issues facing our state."