Rep. Kent Williams
Rep. Kent Williams, R-Butler, who had been criticized by some fellow Republicans as a "Naifeh Republican," said Friday he will vote for Republican Jason Mumpower for speaker of the House.
Rep. Mumpower is expected to replace longtime House Speaker Jimmy Naifeh now that the GOP has narrowly won control of the state House.
Rep. Williams said, “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.”