Talk Union County Blog

In what has been interpreted as an act of war by some state republicans, Union County’s native son, Senator Mike Williams, declared his independence last Wednesday by announcing that he was leaving the GOP to become a political Independent. His decision returns the balance of power in the state senate to an even 16-16 split between Republicans and Democrats.

Williams explained his decision to leave stating that, “Some in the party are leading us down a path of bitterness and divisiveness and, in doing so, they have left me. I have not left them.”

Williams, who is known for voting his conscience even when it strays from the party line, first found himself in GOP crosshairs after his vote for John Wilder in 2005. Back then, he crossed the aisle along with fellow Republican Senator Tim Burchett of Knoxville to give Wilder the votes needed to retain his position as Lieutenant Governor and Speaker of the Senate. While Burchett was forgiven by party loyalists, Senator Williams was not. The intervening years saw a build-up of GOP scorn for Williams that culminated in online Mike Williams “watches,” that monitored the senator’s every move. The 2006 midterms produced a 17-16 split between senate Republicans and Democrats and yet another opportunity arose for the control of the senate to go to either party.

After the midterms, rumors were immediately circulated that Williams was a traitor to the party that would once again vote for Wilder. The internet came alive with foul talk and conspiracy theories.

Reporters from Knoxville and around the state descended on Union County asking residents to speculate on Williams’ upcoming vote and also what they thought of the Senator.

The answers they received surprised them. While some residents expressed the disapproval that pundits had expected, many more said they stood by Williams and would support him no matter which way he voted in the Lieutenant Governor’s race because they believed that he was a man of integrity and conscience and that mattered more to them than partisanship. The independent streak that coursed through the responses was surprising to journalists and pundits that thought surely residents of the county thirsted for blood. However, what surprised them the most was Senator Williams’ vote in January.

After refusing for several months to answer questions about how he would vote ahead of time, Senator Mike Williams walked quietly into the senate chamber and cast his vote for Republican Ron Ramsey. The vote was a victory for Republicans who saw the rise of Ramsey to the lieutenant governorship and senate speakership but it wasn’t enough to quiet the enemies Williams had gained by voting his conscience one too many times. Fellow Republicans criticized him only days after his January vote for Republican Ron Ramsey for Senate Speaker when Williams failed to attend a GOP event. He was undergoing medical treatment for glaucoma at the time.

The reaction to Williams’ announcement has been varied but many Republicans have expressed outrage and some of it has been downright venomous. Immediately after Williams’ decision to become an Independent was made known on Wednesday, Republican Senator Paul Stanley declared, “Good riddance. Every now and then, the herd needs to be culled.”

Lieutenant Governor, Ron Ramsey’s response was more measured. He wished Williams the best and stated that, “Sen. Williams voted for me for Speaker of the Senate and Lieutenant Governor. I appreciated his support… Unfortunately, Sen. Williams did not feel comfortable with conservative Republican leadership.”

Chairman of the Tennessee Republican Party, Bob Davis, released a statement promising that, “come November 2008, there will be a Republican representative in that district. Williams will not be a factor.”

But some Republican Senators are unwilling to wait until the 2008 elections. Both Henry DeVault and Cecil Testerman are calling for Sen. Williams to resign his seat immediately. DeVault, who along with Testerman is a member of the Tennessee Republican State Executive Committee, said, “Since he has abandoned his party, we call on Senator Williams, if he is a man of principle, to resign his seat in the Tennessee Senate and to ask Governor Bredesen to schedule a special election to fill the vacancy in the 4th Senate District.”

However, such calls are likely to fall on deaf ears. They also risk alienating the same voters that shocked out of town journalists and political gurus when they refused to abandon Williams amidst partisan speculations about how the senator would vote. For his part, Williams has returned the favor.

“I will continue to vote my conscience and I will never base any of my votes on what is best for me personally or professionally. Loyalty to the people of my district will continue to be my top priority and I will not bow down to the pressure of any party hack.”