As not many may have noticed, Tennessee bucked the democratic trend this year. While our big cities broke harder for Obama than they had for Kerry, the state as a whole gave McCain a stronger vote than Bush in 2004. AND the state legislature changed hands.
The Republicans and Democrats were even in the State Senate and the Dems held the state House prior to the election. This was only the case because one Senate Republican broke ranks, voted for the Dem as Lieutenant Governor, and became an independent. He was beaten by a Republican this year. The Republicans took a solid 5-seat majority in the Senate and a squeaky 1-seat majority in the House. There was much talk that former House Speaker Jimmy Naifeh might peel off a Republican vote and remain Speaker, but it didn't happen.
What DID happen was that right wing nut job and Speaker Apparent Jason Mumpower LOST the race when all 49 Dems voted for Kent Williams, a Republican who also voted for himself, and thus became Speaker 50-49. He is still a Republican, but he is a moderate one, and he may be able to help us retain our excellent Comptroller of the Treasury. Right-wingers were red-faced and angry, and fun was had by all.
You can watch it here