Rep. Mike Harrison (R-Rogersville) is leaving his seat to accept the executive director position with the County Mayors Association.
He said, “I am honored the County Mayors Association has chosen me to serve as their new executive director. I look forward to working with them and representing the association across this great state.
“I will be resigning from my House seat in the next couple months, as I transition to this new position. I could not be more proud of what we have been able to do during my tenure in the Tennessee General Assembly, and I appreciate the confidence Speaker Beth Harwell placed in me by appointing me to serve as Chair of Finance, Ways and Means Subcommittee. Serving Hancock and Hawkins Counties in the Tennessee General Assembly has been a tremendous honor, and I have sincerely enjoyed my time in the legislature. This state is fortunate to have extraordinary leaders, and work together to accomplish great things for all Tennesseans. I know that track record will continue into the future.”
Speaker Harwell said, “I wish Mike the best on this endeavor, and I know he will serve the association well. His expertise and leadership will be sorely missed in the Tennessee General Assembly and the Finance, Ways and Means Subcommittee over which he presides as chairman. He has served the people of District 9 honorably since 2003, and I know they will miss his wisdom and representation.
“I would also like to announce that I will be appointing Speaker Pro Tempore Curtis Johnson to serve as Interim Finance, Ways and Means Subcommittee Chairman. This will be a temporary appointment through the remainder of the 109th, and the new, permanent committee assignments will be made in the 110th General Assembly. Curtis has been on the Finance, Ways and Means for a long time and has the expertise to serve the committee well. He has been unanimously elected Speaker Pro Tempore by the House, and has the trust of his colleagues. We have a lot of members that would be excellent chairs, but this will ensure the greatest continuity. I appreciate his willingness to serve in this position through the end of the 109th General Assembly.”