Tennessee’s top ranking conservative, Ron Ramsey, is stepping down

March 16, 2016

Collins Parker,

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey, a leading figure in the Republican takeover of all three branches of Tennessee state government, says he won’t run for re-election this year.

The Blountville auctioneer became the first Republican speaker of the Senate since Reconstruction in 2007.

Ramsey has contributed heavily to GOP candidates through his political action committee over the years, and in 2014 bankrolled a high-profile effort to defeat Democratic Supreme Court justices in retention elections.

While the Supreme Court campaign failed to oust any of the justices, the high court decided to appoint a Republican as attorney general. And the subsequent retirement by one of the Democratic justices gave the GOP control of the high court this year.

Ramsey made an unsuccessful bid for governor in 2010.

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Statement from Tennesseans for Conservative Action:
NASHVILLE , March 16, 2016– On Wednesday, Tennesseans for Conservative Action released the following statement upon Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey deciding not to seek another term.

“We thank Lt. Governor Ramsey and his wife Sindy for their many years of dedicated service to the state of Tennessee. His unwavering conservative leadership for the state has left a legacy to all Tennesseans and we wish he and his family the best. All Tennessee conservatives owe a debt of gratitude to our Lt. Governor.”
Tennesseans for Conservative Action (TCA) are a group of conservatives committed to informing and educating the public of the proven conservative principles that serve the best interests of individual liberty, the culture of freedom, and fairer government.
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“Ron Ramsey is to be congratulated and thanked for his service to our state and to the Tennessee General Assembly. His role as a pioneering Republican ranks him with Senator Howard Baker, Senator Bill Brock and Governor Winfield Dunn in building our party to its present state of super majority status. His decision to go home and spend more time with his family shows he has not lost his perspective on what is really important in life. I am proud to call Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey my friend.”

— House Majority Leader Gerald McCormick (R – Chattanooga)

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Democratic tributes:

“Ron Ramsey is a true statesman and, really, a role model on authenticity in public life,” Senate Minority Leader Lee Harris said. “He demonstrated that again today in how he announced his retirement. He set out a list of priorities and we would be lucky to be as smart, self-aware, authentic, and courageous enough to be able to do the same someday. We would all also be lucky to have even a portion of the blessings that Ramsey has had. He deserves a long-round of congratulations.”

“Ron Ramsey went from being a junior member of the minority party in the House to leader of a supermajority in the state Senate in his 20 years in the General Assembly,” Senate Democratic Caucus Chairman Jeff Yarbro said. “That’s a testament to how strong a leader he has been. During my time in the legislature, we’ve had a strong and open relationship. Even when we’ve disagreed, we’ve done so as colleagues and as friends. And while it might surprise some folks to hear it, I’m going to miss him.Tyler and I wish him, Sindy, and his entire family all the best in the years to come.”

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Tennessee Right to Life responded this morning to news of Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey’s retirement from the state Senate with praise for the legislative leader.

“Tennessee’s pro-life movement and unborn children have had no greater friend than Ron Ramsey,” said Brian Harris, president of Tennessee Right to Life. “Part of his legacy will certainly be the election of pro-life super-majorities to the Legislature and passage of pro-life Amendment 1.”

Ramsey has been a consistent supporter of pro-life initiatives, most notably, shepherding to victory SJR 127, a senate resolution calling for a public vote on abortion. When Amendment 1 was successfully placed on the ballot, Ramsey spearheaded a major fund-raising effort including headlining an event kicking off the campaign to win passage.

“Pro-life Tennesseans owe Ron Ramsey a debt of gratitude for helping to frame the debate on Right to Life issues in Tennessee” said Harris.