The Republicans may have lost a state senator when Maynardvilleยs Micheal Williams declared himself an independent this week, but Democrats have been under strength and canยt take advantage of the virtual split (16-16-1) they should have.
Although present (at far right) during last Thursdayยs gubernatorial CoverTennessee announcement, Memphis senator Ophelia Ford, pleading illness, has been largely absent from the floor this session. With senators Jerry Cooper and John Wilder out with injuries, that hurts the ยDย column, notes the Nashville Tennessean.