(NASHVILLE) - The Tennessee Senate Republican Caucus on Tuesday nominated Sen. Jack Johnson (R-Franklin) for Speaker of the Senate and elected Sen. Dawn White (R-Murfreesboro) as Senate Majority Leader and Sen. Becky Massey (R-Knoxville) as Caucus Chairman for the 115th General Assembly.
The full Senate will officially elect its next speaker when the 115th General Assembly convenes on Jan. 12, 2027. Republicans will retain their supermajority, holding 27 of the chamber’s 33 seats. The Senate Speaker also serves as Lieutenant Governor. Johnson, who has served four terms as Senate Majority Leader, is the Republican nominee to succeed Lt. Gov. Randy McNally. McNally is retiring after five terms as Lieutenant Governor and 48 years in the General Assembly.
White, who chairs the Senate Education Committee, will succeed Sen. Jack Johnson, who served four terms as Majority Leader.
Massey, who chairs the Senate Transportation Committee, will succeed Sen. Ken Yager (R-Kingston), who served four terms as Caucus Chairman.
Senate Speaker Nominee Jack Johnson:
“I am deeply honored by the confidence my Republican colleagues have placed in me as their nominee for speaker of the Senate. Tennessee has a strong record of conservative leadership, and I am committed to building on that success. I look forward to working with my fellow senators, Governor-elect Marsha Blackburn and House Speaker Cameron Sexton to keep Tennessee a national leader in fiscal responsibility, economic opportunity and individual freedom. Together, we will continue working to make Tennessee an even better place to live, work and raise a family.”
Senate Republican Majority Leader Dawn White:
“I am honored and humbled by the trust my colleagues have placed in me to serve as Senate Majority Leader. I look forward to working with each member of our caucus as we continue our efforts to make Tennessee stronger and an even better place to live, work and raise a family.”
Senate Republican Caucus Chairman Becky Massey:
“I am honored and humbled by the confidence my fellow senators have placed in me in electing me to serve as their Caucus Chairman. I recognize that this is an important leadership responsibility, and one I take very seriously. Our caucus has an important story to tell. Every day, we are working to advance policies that strengthen our economy, support families, create opportunities, and improve the quality of life for people across Tennessee. One of my priorities as chairman will be to ensure that Tennesseans understand not only what we are doing, but how those decisions positively impact their lives and communities. I look forward to working alongside my colleagues, building on the work we have accomplished, and making sure our message reflects the shared commitment of our caucus to the people of Tennessee.”
At the beginning of the 115th General Assembly, the Caucus will elect the positions of Treasurer, Secretary and Chaplain, as well as nominate two members to the Joint Fiscal Review Committee.
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