Over two-dozen people have applied to become Tennessee's new constitutional officers, including a former deputy governor and Gov. Phil Bredesen's 2006 GOP opponent, under a vetting system established by the General Assembly's new Republican majority.
House and Senate Republicans released a list late Friday of the 15 applicants interested in becoming secretary of state, treasurer and comptroller, three top positions selected by a majority in the General Assembly.
The applicants for secretary of state include former state Sen. Jim Bryson, Bredesen's rival in 2006; Tennessee Regulatory Authority Director Tre' Hargett; former state Rep. William Baird; James Rollins, who owns a Clarksville auto body shop; Murfreesboro attorney Jerry Scott; former state Rep. Larry Scroggs; Realtor David Shirley; and GOP state director Randy Stamps.
The sole applicant for comptroller is Nashville attorney Justin Wilson, the former deputy governor for Gov. Don Sundquist.
Applicants for treasurer include investment banker Ira Brody of Murfreesboro; attorney Vance Cheek of Johnson City; accountant Barry Davis of Alcoa; attorney David Lillard of Germantown; Trustmark National Bank executive vice president Bill McGaughey; and accountant Bill Watkins of Germantown.
Because of GOP gains on Nov. 4, Republicans have a majority in the House and Senate for the first time since the late 1800s, giving the party control over the appointment process.
Democrats have nominated the incumbent office holders, Secretary of State Riley Darnell, Treasurer Dale Sims and Comptroller John Morgan.
The Republicans created the application process for the positions to add
transparency and firmly establish credential for its nominees. All GOP applicants will submit to background checks, and will be questioned at a public hearing on Dec. 15.
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