UP OR DOWN: To replace Darrin Williams with a Republican speaker, Republiicans must first vote against Williams.

  • UP OR DOWN: To replace Darrin Williams with a Republican speaker, Republicans must first vote against Williams.

The Arkansas House of Representatives early this evening distributed a news release on procedures next Thursday for election of a speaker for the next session of the General Assembly. I backgrounded all that earlier today. Plus some details here on the recount in a remaining House election that could change the balance of power.

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It’s kind of simple. If Republicans end up with 51 seats out of 100, as most expect, they’ll elect Rep. Terry Rice as speaker. Democratic Rep. Darrin Williams, chosen as speaker designate when Democrats were in control, would be denied the historic seat as the first African-American speaker of the Arkansas House.

One wrinkle as you’ll see from the release on the election procedure, which is being requested by a bipartisan petition of Democrats and Republicans:

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Republicans will first have to vote AGAINST Darrin Williiams’ re-election. Then, they may choose a speaker of their choice from any nominees, who’ll have a chance to speak for themselves.

The repudiation of Williams’ historic election in favor of a man chosen for partisan Republican reasons will be televised at noon, Thursday, Nov. 15 on the House website.

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Read the full release on the jump:

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