Kent Williams and bills to bypass party bylaws

A bit of a power-play going on in regard to state political parties, primaries, and who can run as a Republican.

Legislation approved by a House subcommittee Tuesday could allow House Speaker Kent Williams to run as a Republican for re-election despite a state Republican Party declaration that he is no longer a member of the GOP.

Who is Kent Williams again?

Williams was ousted from the state Republican Party last year after joining 49 Democrats to elect himself as speaker over the House Republican Caucus’ nominee, Rep. Jason Mumpower, R-Bristol.

House bill sponsors are Rep. Frank Niceley (R-Strawberry Plains) with HB3060 and Rep. John DeBerry (D-Memphis) with HB3019.

Both bills have Sen. Tim Burchett (R-Knoxville) as Senate sponsor.

Morning Update

Former Knox County Trustee employee John Haun has agreed to pay back the money:

A longtime employee of the Knox County Trustee’s office who was fired for allegedly overpaying himself to the tune of $100,000 has agreed to pay back the money, his attorney has said. He worked in the Trustee’s office for 20 years before his termination last year.

Ragsdale cleared in ‘official oppression’ charge by county auditor:

Nichols concluded by saying: “Whether the alleged acts of the mayor and his staff are improper, wrongful or retaliatory may be matters on which the (Ethics) Committee may or may not act under its ethics responsibilities, but as discussed here they cannot legally support a criminal prosecution and no further action by the district attorney’s office is warranted.”

State Judicial Nominating Commission chair quits after DUI charge. More here and here. He gave this parting reason:

Bautista cited “a myriad of other commitments” as the reason he was stepping down effective immediately

House Speaker Kent Williams appointed Mr. Bautista to the commission. From the Elizabethton Star:

The Elizabethton Star said David Bautista, 70, was also charged with violation of the Implied Consent Law after an Elizabethton officer saw him driving the wrong way on a street, causing cars to swerve to miss his vehicle.