Lee Harris
NASHVILLE — Memphis City Councilman Lee Harris, who was elected to the state Senate from District 29 earlier this month, was selected minority leader by his fellow Democratic members in caucus on Tuesday. During the same caucus session Jeff Yarbro, a newly elected Nashville Senator from District 21, was elected caucus chair.
Both candidates were nominated by another new Senator, Sara Kyle of Memphis’ District 30. There was one other candidate for Leader, veteran state Senator Reginald Tate of District 31, also of Memphis, who nominated himself. (Tate had also sought the Leadership position two years ago, when then Leader Jim Kyle, now a Shelby County Chancellor, was reelected 3-2 by the Caucus.
Yarbro was the only nominee for caucus chair.
There are only five Democratic members of the 33-member state Senate. The fifth Democratic Senator is veteran Thelma Harper of Nashville’s District 19.
The General Assembly will next convene in Nashville on January 13.
