Joint convention reelects Jason Mumpower as comptroller; David H. Lillard Jr. and Trey Hargett also win statewide posts

NASHVILLE — The Tennessee General Assembly met in a joint convention on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, to adopt a select committee report and elect three constitutional officers: Comptroller of the Treasury, State Treasurer and Secretary of State.

The convention first adopted the report of a legislative select committee charged with reviewing audits and operations of the comptroller's office and the Department of the Treasury. Representative Hitz of Hawkins moved to adopt the report pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated sections 8-4-102 and 8-5-102; Senator Watson seconded and the chair announced that "ayes prevailed." The adoption was recorded by voice vote.

The convention then held nominations and roll-call votes for the three offices. For comptroller, Representative Moon nominated incumbent Jason Mumpower of Sullivan County; Representative Salinas nominated former Representative Dwayne Thompson of Memphis. Senator White seconded Mumpower's nomination and Representative Clemens seconded Thompson's. After roll calls in both chambers, Mumpower received a majority and was declared re-elected. The clerk reported 27 senate votes for Mumpower and 6 for Thompson, and 74 house votes for Mumpower and 22 for Thompson.

Jason Mumpower was administered the oath of office and addressed the joint convention. Comptroller Jason Mumpower said: "In the comptroller's office, our mission is to make government work better. Let's get to work. God bless the state of Tennessee." He thanked family members and the employees of the comptroller's office during brief remarks.

For state treasurer, Representative Marsh nominated incumbent David H. Lillard Jr. of Fayette County; Representative Johnson nominated former Knoxville mayor Madeline Rogero. Senator Stevens seconded Lillard's nomination; Representative Clemens seconded Rogero's. The roll-call results reported 27 senate votes for Lillard and 6 for Rogero, and 74 house votes for Lillard and 21 for Rogero. The chair declared David H. Lillard Jr. duly elected state treasurer.

Treasurer David H. Lillard Jr. took the oath and told the joint convention: "It has been and continues to be the honor of my life to serve Tennesseans in this role." In remarks he cited investment returns and pension work discussed during the nomination: the convention record notes more than $62.7 billion earned on investments, including about $53.6 billion attributable to the Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System, and a reported daily portfolio balance cited at about $125.5 billion.

The final election was for secretary of state. Representative Martin of Hamilton nominated incumbent Trey Hargett of Sumner County; Senator Oliver nominated Tequila Johnson. Senator Pote seconded Hargett's nomination and Representative Clemens seconded Johnson's. Roll calls produced 27 senate votes for Hargett and 6 for Johnson, and 74 house votes for Hargett and 21 for Johnson. The chair declared Trey Hargett elected secretary of state.

Secretary of State Trey Hargett was sworn in and, in brief remarks, said he did not take the legislature's trust lightly: "I don't take the trust you've given me lightly," Hargett said, and thanked his family and colleagues.

A judge of the Tennessee Court of Appeals administered the oaths of office for each officer. The joint convention recessed after the oaths and remarks; a reception for the officers was announced for the first floor of the capitol.

The purpose for which the joint convention was assembled having been accomplished, the convention was dissolved.