Republicans oust Wilder as Ramsey new Senate speaker

Ramsey, R-Blountville, defeated Wilder 18-15 by garnering the votes of all 17 Republicans plus Democrat Sen. Rosalind Kurita of Clarksville.

?I want to personally express my gratitude and thank you for everything you?ve done for the state of Tennessee,? Ramsey said.

Wilder appeared stunned by the vote.

?Why did Kurita do that?? he said quietly to himself.

Kurita said of her decision: ?I voted my conscience, no more, no less.?

Two years ago, two Republicans voted with Democrats to thwart the same 17-16 Republican advantage and retain Wilder, who was the longest-standing leader of a state legislative body in the country.

Wilder named one of those senators ? Republican Sen. Mike Williams ? Senate speaker pro tempore after he made the switch. But Williams cast his ballot for Ramsey on Tuesday.

Williams said he never committed to voting for Wilder and made up his mind the night before Tuesday?s vote.

?There comes a time when you look at everything. It?s the people of Tennessee that elect us, it?s the people of Tennessee?s phone calls and letters that ask us what to do,? Williams said.

Wilder had previously said he might resign if he was not re-elected speaker. He had a different reaction after Tuesday?s vote.

?I?m still a state senator, and I will keep on keeping on,? he said.

Wilder said he had not expected to lose Kurita?s vote ? but had been counting on Williams? support.

Ramsey called his election humbling and said he would spend the next few days nailing down a legislative agenda to focus on improving education, promoting business and ?restoring trust? in elected officials.

Ramsey acknowledged having conversations with Kurita before the vote, but said no promises were made in exchange for her support. Ramsey also said he expected to continue the recent Senate tradition of splitting up committee chairmanships between the parties.

Tim Burchett of Knoxville, who voted for Ramsey on Tuesday, was the other Senator who had previously voted for Wilder.

Before the floor vote on Tuesday, the Democratic Caucus met and Sen. Jerry Cooper of Morrison confronted Wilder in a surprising moment of candor in front of reporters.

?There comes a time when you need to go home,? Cooper told Wilder. ?I need to know, Gov. Wilder.?

Before the meeting was abruptly adjourned, Wilder said, ?I have no plans to step aside at this moment.?

Cooper, who is under indictment in a land fraud case that involves his dealings with Wilder?s bank, ended up voting for Wilder on the Senate floor.