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Randy McNally elected lieutenant governor and speaker of Tennessee Senate
Summary
Senator Randy McNally was chosen by the Tennessee Senate to serve as lieutenant governor and speaker for the 114th General Assembly after a formal nomination, roll-call, and oath of office.
Senator Randy McNally was elected lieutenant governor and speaker of the Tennessee Senate during the Senate organizational session on Jan. 14, 2025, and took the oath of office before the chamber.
Senator Johnson formally nominated McNally for the position; Senator Watson seconded the nomination. After Senator Yeager moved to close nominations, the clerk conducted a roll-call vote. The clerk recorded 26 ayes and no nays; several senators were recorded as “present not voting.” The chair declared McNally duly elected, and former Tennessee Supreme Court Justice William Coke administered the speaker’s oath.
The nomination speech cited McNally’s long tenure and prior work in fiscal committees. McNally, after taking the oath, thanked members and noted this was “the fifth time I’ve taken the oath before you,” encouraging cooperation across the chamber. He then relinquished the chairing privileges to preside as the new speaker.
Why it matters: The speaker (who also serves as lieutenant governor in Tennessee) presides over the Senate, controls recognition and many procedural levers, and influences the flow of legislation during the two-year term.
Action details: Senator Johnson moved to nominate Randy McNally for lieutenant governor and speaker; Senator Watson seconded. The nomination was closed by motion of Senator Yeager and the clerk conducted a roll-call vote. The motion passed and McNally was sworn in as speaker. Several senators were recorded as present but not voting.
Votes at a glance: The roll call recorded multiple named yes votes during the clerk’s count (for example: Senator Bailey, Senator Bowling, Senator Briggs, Senator Crow, Senator Gordon, Senator Hale, Senator Harshbarger, Senator Hatcher, Senator Hensley, Senator Johnson, Senator Lowe, Senator Massey, Senator Pody, Senator Powers, Senator Reeves, Senator Roberts, Senator Rose, Senator Seale, Senator Sutherland, Senator Stevens, Senator Taylor, Senator Wally, Senator Watson, Senator Weiss, Senator Yeager, Senator Yarbrough). The clerk later announced “26 ayes, no nays.”
Context/next steps: With the new speaker in place, the Senate proceeded with organizational business including appointment of officers and committees and setting the week’s schedule.
