Cleveland lawyer named to replace Newton in state House
The appointment improves the Democrats’ advantage in the state House to 54-45, up from 53-46.
The 9-member commission voted 6-1 to appoint Sally Love, 55, to the legislative post. One Republican commissioner abstained from voting and another was absent.
“I believe I can serve Polk County with integrity,” said Love, a first time political candidate.
Love will hold the seat until a replacement is picked in a special election. The Legislature is in adjournment until January unless it is called into special session, but Gov. Phil Bredesen has said he might do that to get ethics reform passed.
The election date will be set by Gov. Phil Bredesen. His spokeswoman Lydia Lenker said the election likely will take place early in 2006 and the governor is expected to set the date next week.
Love said she will run in the special election.
Commissioner Fred Wilcoxon, a Republican who has expressed an interest in running for the House seat, cast the no vote. He said the commission should wait for a special election because the district extends beyond Polk County to include part of Bradley County.
“The people of this district should have a voice in this vote,” he said.
Commissioner Greg Barker said he did not want to wait for a special called election to name a new delegate.
“I think there is work to be done in Nashville now,” he said.
Newton pleaded guilty in August to federal charges of taking bribes to sponsor legislation favoring what turned out to be a fake company created by the FBI. He was the only Republican among five current and former lawmakers charged in the case and the first elected official to plead guilty.
The 34-year-old six-term lawmaker resigned his seat Sept. 1.
“People who are pretty good fellas go over to Nashville and they wind up ruining their lives,” Love said. “Honesty in government is going to be one of the No. 1 issues. People are tired of sending elected officials to Nashville and have them disappoint.”
Love is a UT graduate who was first a high school english teacher before going to law school. She works in private practice in Cleveland and is the local chair of the Red Cross.
She said she expects to be sworn in Tuesday.