Bowers resigns as Shelby County Democratic chairman

Bowers, a former House member sent to the Senate three weeks ago in a special election, refused to say if she plans on keeping her Senate seat.

“I am insisting that I do not want in any way whatever it is the problem’s that’s besetting me, that’s befalling me right now, to interfere with the progress of this party,” Bowers said.

Bowers said she will help the county party during the transition.

Two days ago, Bowers said she would not resign the post or her seat in the Senate. She revealed little during the party’s meeting Thursday about why she changed her mind.

“I promise you that ain’t nobody no more hurt than I am and more discouraged than I am … about why, why is all of this happening,” Bowers said.

Also charged in the public corruption sting called the “Tennessee Waltz” are former state Sen. John Ford, Sen. Ward Crutchfield, Rep. Chris Newton and former state Sen. Roscoe Dixon. All but Newton are Democrats.

Charles Love, a lobbyist from Chattanooga, and Barry Myers, a Memphis resident, also are charged in the case. They are described by the government as “bagmen” for the payoffs.

Bowers was elected to Dixon’s former post in the Senate in a special election May 10. She was elected to the state House in 1994 and chaired the TennCare Oversight Committee.

She was charged with taking $11,500 in payoffs during the FBI sting.

Bowers promised Thursday that she will still be a strong participant in the party, no matter what happens to her concerning the bribery case.

“As long as the Democratic Party is here, Kathryn Bowers is going to be here standing with you in whatever way I can,” she said.

Bowers’ chairmanship of the Shelby County chapter was scheduled to end July 23.

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Information from WMC-TV, Memphis, http://www.wmcstations.com