UPDATE OF PREVIOUS POST: According to NashvillePost.com, State Senator Paul Stanley has withdrawn his name from consideration to become chair of the Tennessee Republican Party,throwing his support behind the party’s current vice chair, Robin Smith of Hixson.

PREVIOUS POST: State Senator Paul Stanley
(District 31, Germantown, Cordova) has launched a bid to succeed state
Republican chairman Bob Davis, who intends to join former U.S. Senator Fred
Thompson’s presidential campaign. In an email to members of the state GOP
executive committee, Stanley promised to resign his Senate seat if picked for
the job by the committee.

Such a move would free Stanley’s
hands to raise money has party chairman while the legislature, whose members are
prohibited from doing fundraising while in session, is meeting.

Other Republicans interested are
former Memphian Larry Kidwell, now a Nashville investment banker, and former state Senator
Jim Bryson of Williamson County. The GOP executive committee will meet to select
Davis’ replacement on August 4th.

This is a copy of Stanley’s email
to committee members:

From: (State Senator Paul
Stanley)
To: XXXXXXXXXX
Subject: State Republican Party Chairmanship
Date: Wed, 4 Jul 2007

Dear XXXXXXX,

Happy 4th of July! Our nation
and state have much to be thankful for as we celebrate our nation’s
independence. Without question, the freedoms most of us take for granted will be
challenged as we move toward the 2008 election cycle.

Tennessee Republican Party
Chairman Bob Davis announced on Tuesday his impending resignation. Bob has been
a friend for many years and his experience, political instinct, and
communication and management skills will be greatly missed. I wish Bob and his
family the best as they embark upon an exciting opportunity.

As a former member of the
Executive Committee, I realize the important task yo u have in evaluating
candidates and electing a chairman for the party.

I would like to be the next
Chairman of the Tennessee Republican Party.

The top priority of our
chairman should be electing a majority in the State House and electing more
Republican Senators to support Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey. I believe Fred
Thompson’s entrance into the Presidential race gives Tennessee Republicans a
unique opportunity to obtain this majority in the legislature.

The chairman’s position is a
full time job. If elected, I will resign from the Senate to serve full time as
TRP Chairman.

Having served seven years in
the legislature, I developed relationships with nearly every Republican member
of the General Assembly. These relationships give me a unique insight into what
it takes to serve in the legislature, and I believe we assist me in recruiting
candidates. I have a proven track record as a fundraiser in the House and Senate
that will serve me well when raising money for our party.

Over the next several days I
will call you to discuss how we can best move our party to the majority at every
level.

Thank you for your
consideration and, again, have a wonderful 4th.

Best regards,
Senator Paul Stanley

–j.b.