Senator Ron Ramsey became the first Republican Senate speaker and lieutenant governor to be elected in Tennessee since 1869 when Democrat Rosalind Kurita cast her vote for him.

• Position: People & Politics - Brief article

Senator Ron Ramsey became the first Republican Senate speaker and lieutenant governor to be elected in Tennessee since 1869 when Democrat Rosalind Kurita cast her vote for him. The 51-year-old Ramsey replaces 85-year-old Senator John Wilder who was lieutenant governor and speaker for 36 years. Although the GOP has a 17-16 advantage in the Senate, two years ago two Republicans voted with the Democrats to retain Wilder as leader. In Tennessee's 213-year...