Reporter
Sam Stockard is a Nashville-based reporter with more than 30 years of journalism experience as a writer, editor and columnist covering the state Legislature and Tennessee politics for The Daily Memphian.
There are 1058 articles by Sam Stockard :
Planned Parenthood is bashing state Rep. John DeBerry with billboards across Memphis highlighting his votes for legislation restricting and outlawing abortion. DeBerry says new attitudes are needed against the procedure.
The House of Representatives could use a special session this summer to replace House Speaker Glen Casada and to expel state Rep. David Byrd, who is accused of sexual misconduct by three women who played basketball for him at Wayne County High 30 years ago.
State Sen. Katrina Robinson wants a "transparent and thorough" investigation into the shooting death of Brandon Webber, saying the details are "unclear."
The Tennessee Black Caucus of State Legislators is talking to House Republican Speaker candidates to determine whether it could support a special session based on one condition: assurances of “justice” in the General Assembly.
Shelby Countian John Gillespie will run in the Republican primary for the House District 97 seat being vacated by Rep. Jim Coley in 2020.
Gov. Bill Lee is checking the "temperature" of House members to decide whether to call a pre-Aug. 2 special session to replace embattled House Speaker Glen Casada before he wants to leave the post.
The Tennessee Registry of Election Finance cleared state Rep. G.A. Hardaway Wednesday for filing a late report on his campaign finances for the pre-general period of 2018.
Rep. Jim Coley calls for major changes in Speaker's office, including elimination of bill "kill lists" and opportunities for all members to speak on the floor.
Shelby County House Republicans say Speaker Glen Casada is wearing out his welcome with an Aug. 2 resignation date, with two contending he should step down immediately as caucus leaders push for an earlier time frame for a special session to replace him.
Supporters of legalizing medical cannabis in Tennessee believe the legislation stalled in the General Assembly this year mainly because of Speaker Glen Casada’s decision to appoint an opponent of the measure as chairman of a Health subcommittee.
House Speaker Glen Casada released a letter saying he will step down on Aug. 2 and asked the governor to call a special session, as Democrats and some Republicans urged him to resign immediately on Tuesday.
Republican Rep. Tom Leatherwood is declining to say how he voted on a no-confidence resolution for House Speaker Glen Casada, but noted Monday he is “comfortable” with the outcome.
Dr. Manny Sethi is the first Tennessee Republican to enter the U.S. Senate election, beating potential establishment candidates to the punch in the race to replace Sen. Lamar Alexander.
Amid reports federal agents are questioning state lawmakers, a group that filed a complaint about Sen. Brian Kelsey’s 2016 congressional finances is renewing its request for a complete investigation.
House Minority Leader Karen Camper is balking at a Republican proposal to seek a June special session for replacing resigning Speaker Glen Casada while the governor waits for a legislative request.
Memphis’ attorney says the city made a strong case in the central argument of a legal battle between Mississippi and Memphis over water rights to the Memphis Sand Aquifer: whether the aquifer is an interstate resource.
A man termed by some lawmakers as a “hall monitor” for House Speaker Glen Casada is out of a job at the state Legislature.
Rep. Joe Towns believes the governor should rescind the signing of his voucher bill into law and have it heard again by the Legislature.
Bartlett Republican Jim Coley will not seek another two-year term in 2020 after a recent diagnosis with early stages of dementia.
The Department of Justice reportedly talked to state lawmakers about alleged “straw donations” into state Sen. Brian Kelsey’s 2016 congressional campaign.
A funky chicken, a creepy penguin and a half-naked bear-woman stood sentinel outside the meeting room at 21C Museum Hotel, where House Republicans debated the fate of House Speaker Glen Casada.
This Memorial Day carries a special meaning for LaQuita Darnell, a year after her daughter died in a National Guard training accident.
Gov. Bill Lee expects House Speaker Glen Casada to honor his plan to step down and won’t call for a special session unless lawmakers seek one.
Tennessee Democrats, led by state Rep. Joe Towns of Memphis, sent a letter to Gov. Bill Lee Friday asking him not to sign his voucher bill until the FBI finishes investigating potential improper favors for votes. But Lee said he signed the measure Friday morning.
House Republican Caucus members deciding the fate of embattled Speaker Glen Casada Monday will have to overlook the financial backing he gave them in recent years.