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Cameron Sexton elected speaker of Tennessee House, wins 75-23 vote
Summary
Cameron Sexton was elected speaker of the Tennessee House of Representatives during the chamber's organizational session, defeating Karen Camper by a 75 to 23 margin and taking the oath of office administered by Justice Mary L. Wagner.
Cameron Sexton was elected speaker of the Tennessee House of Representatives on Jan. 13, 2025, receiving 75 votes to 23 and was immediately administered the oath of office by Justice Mary L. Wagner.
The vote concluded the House’s organizational session after nominations. Leader Lambert nominated Sexton, saying the nominee had “served us well” over the last five years; Representative Jeremy Faison seconded that nomination. Representative Karen Camper was nominated by Representative Love and seconded by Representative Harris. Representative Mark Cochran moved to close nominations and the clerk conducted a roll call that produced the 75–23 tally, which the clerk announced on the floor.
The outcome mattered because the speaker controls the House agenda and committee assignments for the new General Assembly. The election followed brief floor nominations and a roll-call tally; following the result the clerk announced that, having received a majority, Sexton was "duly, legally, and constitutionally elected" speaker and the motion to reconsider was sent to the table. Justice Mary L. Wagner then administered the oath of office.
Leader Lambert moved and formally nominated Sexton "on behalf of the 75 members of the House Republican Caucus," and Representative Faison seconded that nomination. Representative Love nominated Karen Camper; Representative Harris seconded her nomination. After a motion to cease nominations and a roll call, the clerk announced the vote totals and the chair declared Sexton elected.
After taking the oath, Sexton addressed the chamber, saying, "Thank you for the honor to serve as your speaker again. It is definitely a privilege. I greatly appreciate all that voted for me today. And for those of you who didn't, I do know some of you wanted to, and I understand that. Over the last 5 years, we've all learned a lot." He said his goals include efficiency, empowering Tennesseans over government and upholding constitutional duties of oversight.
Formally, the House recorded the result and sent the motion to reconsider to the table; no amendments to the outcome were recorded on the floor during the session. The House then proceeded with subsequent organizational business.
The election occurred during the House’s organizational session called under the authority of the Tennessee Constitution and the chamber’s temporary rules for the 114th General Assembly.
