WRCBtv.com | Chattanooga News, Weather & SportsSpeaker Williams wants GOP return before session
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Associated Press - November 7, 2009 11:25 AM ET
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - House Speaker Kent Williams wants to be reinstated into the Republican Party before the beginning of next legislative session in January.
Williams told The Associated Press at a fundraiser for his political action committee in Knoxville on Friday night that he has several colleagues working toward a decision as soon as possible.
In the Elizabethton restauranteur's words: "I just want to know where I stand."
Williams was stripped of his Republican credentials earlier this year for banding together with all of the chamber's Democrats to be elected speaker.
State Republican Party Chairman Chris Devaney said he's not aware of any plans to reinstate Williams. The next state executive committee meeting is Dec. 5.
Williams' fundraiser was attended by U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander and Knoxville mayor and gubernatorial candidate Bill Haslam. It was co-hosted by 32 Republican lawmakers.
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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