Rep. Elaine Davis pulls bill to kill early voting, then won't talk about it

Freshman state Rep. Elaine Davis created a stir last week by introducing and then withdrawing – all within 48 hours – a bill with language that would repeal early voting.

Davis did not answer emails from me asking why she would even consider such an idea. Early voting has been around for 45 years.

Such legislation would be a disservice to countless Tennesseans who find it difficult to vote Election Day. Knox County has had no problems with early voting.

One can only speculate why Davis would give any thought to this right cherished by so many of her constituents. It is perplexing and wrong.

Knox County Democratic chair Matt Shears said, “It shows Elaine Davis has no core principles and is confused on how to introduce and propose legislation. She should explain herself.”

Knoxville attorney Dwight Tarwater, 67, has been chosen by Gov. Bill Lee to replace retiring Justice Sharon Lee on the Tennessee Supreme Court. A confirmation vote by both houses of the state legislature is expected by April. If confirmed, Tarwater takes the seat Sept. 1.

Tarwater was legal counsel to former Gov. Bill Haslam. He was born and raised in Knox County and was a Torchbearer at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville.

He would be the first Knox County resident at the time of his appointment to serve on the Supreme Court since Hamilton Burnett.

Tarwater graduated from Bearden High School, earned a degree in political science at UT in 1977 and graduated from UT College of Law in 1980. He was president of the Knoxville bar in 2002.

He has been with Paine, Tarwater and Bickers law firm since 1987. His salary as a Supreme Court justice would be $219,180 a year.

Nashville Mayor John Cooper is retiring after one term, which brings to a close an era with a Cooper (Jim or John) holding office in Tennessee. Their father, Prentice Cooper, was governor during World War II.

Recent controversy between Nashville and the GOP supermajority in the state legislature may have been a contributing factor to John Cooper’s decision. He already had three announced credible opponents. The contest to fill his seat will see even more entries and high competition. Republican legislators are working to eliminate a runoff for Nashville mayor, which requires the winner to have more than 50% of the vote, to allow a Republican like Beth Harwell to win with a plurality.

Former Knox County Trustee Ed Shouse has gone to work for FirstBank in business development and government relations. Shouse chaired the city audit committee when he served on the Knoxville City Council.

He was also on the county audit committee when he served on the County Commission. He is an effective addition to the FirstBank team.

Knox County Republicans will elect a new party chair on Feb. 18, expected to be retired city police officer Keith Lyon. He has also qualified to run for city mayor. The meeting is at Crown College. Knox Democrats meet April 1; Shears is the only announced candidate for chair.

Cameron Brooks, candidate for City Council At-Large Seat A, has a website for his campaign at www.votecameronbrooks.com.

He served six years on the Knox County Election Commission. He was also Democratic party chair. His website says he will oppose any sales or property tax increase over the next four years. The city primary is Aug. 29.

Vice Mayor Andrew Roberto was also an election commissioner prior to being elected to the council for the 2nd District.

Birthdays

Feb. 17: Sharon Bosse is 63. Knox News visuals editor Jennifer Dedman is 50. Joe Carson is 69. Keith Ottaviano is 50. Greenway Commission member Alice Allen is 65. Michelle Hardin is 59.

Feb. 18: Attorney Jim Parris is 65. Holly Zachary, wife of state Rep. Jason Zachary, is 46. Michael Madigan is 43. Phyllis Severance is 84. Randy Ayres is 85.

Feb. 19: School board member Betsy Henderson is 44. Attorney and former Knox GOP chair Billy Stokes is 71. Thomas Ayres is 89. Matthew Gallaher is 46. Prince Andrew is 63.

Feb. 20: Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell is 81. Rick Moody Jr. is 78. Jamie Ayres is 74. Becky Wade is 71.

Feb. 21: Erin Freeman is 43. Sandy McNabb is 85. Donald A. Moul is 58. Rachel E. Hamburger is 62. Former Baker Center head Alan Lowe is 59. Jerry Askew is 69. Bart Carey is 69.

Feb. 22: Dr. Michael Carringer, husband of state Rep. Michele Carringer, is 65. James R. Shankles is 70. Attorney John W. Baker is 77. Former U.S. senator and Senate GOP Leader Bill Frist is 71. Former mayor and governor’s aide Jim Henry is 78.

Feb. 23: Former UT trustee and Farragut businessman Doug Horne is 78. U.S. Rep. John Rose is 58. Japan’s Emperor Naruhito is 63.

Victor Ashe can be reached at vhashe@aol.com.

Knox News and Shopper News promptly correct all errors. If you think we have published incorrect information, please email accuracy@knoxnews.com. Describe the error, where you saw it, the date, page number or the URL.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Rep. Elaine Davis won't talk about her effort to kill early voting