Speaker of the House of Representatives (Twenty-fourth and Twenty-fifth Congresses); Polk did not seek renomination to congress in 1838, having become a candidate for governor. He won and served as governor of Tennessee 1839-1841, and later was elected as a Democrat as President of the United States in 1844. Inaugurated on March 4, 1845, he served one term until March 3, 1849 and declined to be a candidate for renomination. Polk died in Nashville on June 15, 1849 and interred within the grounds of the state capitol.

Civics 101: How is the U.S. House speaker selected?

The speaker acts as leader of the House and combines several institutional and administrative roles and is by law second in line to succeed the President, after the Vice President.

Nov 12, 2018 at 2:49 PM

Locals join national protest to declare ‘no one is above the law’

JOHNSON CITY — Barely 24 hours after Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ resignation and President Donald Trump’s appointment of Matthew Whitaker, Sessions’ former chief of staff, as his acting replacement, Democrats in Washington County and elsewhere took to the streets.

Nov 9, 2018 at 9:51 AM

FILE - In this July 13, 2018 photo, Attorney General Jeff Sessions speaks in Portland, Maine. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty, File)

Sessions resigns as attorney general at White House request

The resignation was the culmination of a toxic relationship that frayed just weeks into the attorney general's tumultuous tenure, when he stepped aside from the investigation into potential coordination between the president's campaign and Russia.

Nov 7, 2018 at 2:55 PM

President Donald Trump points to CNN's Jim Acosta during a news conference in the East Room of the White House, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Trump says government will halt if Dems investigate him

Speaking at a wide-ranging press conference, Trump, said Democrats and Republicans should set aside partisanship to work together. Some House Democrats have threatened to use the subpoena power they will gain in January to investigate Trump and administration actions. But, he warned, he will respond in kind and government will suffer.

Nov 7, 2018 at 1:36 PM

DCCC Chair Ben Ray Luján, left, and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of Calif., gesture to a crowd of volunteers and supporters of the Democratic party at an election night event at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

As Dems close in on taking back House, Pelosi says tomorrow 'a new day in America'

The Democrats appeared close to taking back the House late Tuesday night in a victory that could slap a check on President Donald Trump's agenda over the next two years and lead to a multitude of investigations into his business dealings and his administration.

Nov 7, 2018 at 12:13 AM

Hawkins County Elections

Tuesday's elections bring many changes to Hawkins city governments

Surgoinsville Mayor Merrell Graham earned a third term, while longtime Church Hill aldermen B.D. Cradic was defeated in Tuesday’s elections which will ring in changes for every Hawkins County city board.

Updated Nov 7, 2018 at 6:28 PM

Members of the Trumpettes celebrate as incumbent U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, is announced as the winner over Democratic challenger Rep. Beto O'Rourke in a tightly contested race at the Dallas County Republican Party election night watch party on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018 at The Statler Hotel in Dallas. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter)

GOP retains Senate, Dems gain in quest for House

Democrats were gaining significant ground in the battle for House control Tuesday night, while Republicans held onto their majority in the Senate as voters weighed in on the first nationwide election in Donald Trump's turbulent presidency.

Nov 6, 2018 at 10:59 PM

In this May 29, 2018, file photo, President Donald Trump listens as Marsha Blackburn speaks at a rally in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)

Blackburn defeats Bredesen in Tennessee Senate race, keeping seat for GOP

The congresswoman defeated Democratic former Gov. Phil Bredesen by closely aligning her bid with President Donald Trump, who drummed up support for her during three visits to the state that he won by 26 percentage points, including a rally in Chattanooga two days before the election.

Updated Nov 6, 2018 at 10:16 PM

Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., gestures during an election party in Falls Church, Va., Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018. Kaine defeated Republican Corey Stewart. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

Sen. Kaine takes a shellacking in SW Va. but wins re-election

WISE — In spite of a solid thumping from voters in Virginia’s westernmost counties, incumbent Democrat Sen. Tim Kaine was sailing toward a fairly comfortable re-election over Republican challenger Corey A. Stewart Tuesday.

Updated Nov 6, 2018 at 10:15 PM

State Rep. Bud Hulsey

Hulsey wins re-election

KINGSPORT – Republican state Rep. Bud Hulsey won re-election to a third term for his 2nd House District seat on Tuesday. “I want to thank the voters in District 2 for the honor of returning to the General Assembly,” Hulsey said in a text message. “I am humbled and grateful.”

Nov 6, 2018 at 9:26 PM

U.S. Rep. Phil Roe

Roe cruises to sixth term in House

U.S. Rep. Phil Roe, chairman of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs and a solid supporter of President Trump, defeated Democrat challenger Marty Olsen and independent Michael D. Salyer.

Nov 6, 2018 at 9:09 PM

Precincts begin reporting in crucial midterm

Polls closed at 7 p.m. in Virginia and 8 p.m. in Tennessee. View the numbers as they roll in, and check back with TimesNews.net for official results and reaction

Updated Nov 6, 2018 at 9:00 PM

Former Gov. Phil Bredesen said, "Wow," after being greeted by supporters at Cranberries Cafe on Monday. The Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate began a day-long trek across the state in Johnson City.

Bredesen kicks off final campaign push with stop in Johnson City

Former Gov. Phil Bredesen said Monday he was “feeling good” about his chances in a tight race for U.S. Senate in Tennessee. The Democrat said getting supporters to the polls, “especially younger voters,” would be crucial in deciding today’s outcome.

Updated Nov 6, 2018 at 11:15 AM

Republican U.S. Senate candidate Marsha Blackburn autographs a photo of one of President Trump's rallies held for her Tennessee campaign during a rally held at Pal's Sudden Service.

Marsha Blackburn's U.S. Senate campaign

Blackburn: 'When the blue wave gets to the Tennessee state line, it is crashing into the great red wall'

KINGSPORT – Republican Marsha Blackburn predicted victory in her contentious U.S. Senate race against Democrat Phil Bredesen at a rally held Monday morning at the downtown Pal’s Sudden Service. If you entered the location and said you were there to support Blackburn, the campaign picked up the tab for the order.

Nov 5, 2018 at 6:30 PM

Civics 101

Civics 101: What does the 14th Amendment say?

The Constitution says that if you’re born in the United States, you are a U.S. citizen. President Donald Trump said in a recent interview he plans to sign an executive order ending birthright citizenship for babies of non-citizens born on U.S. soil.

Nov 5, 2018 at 1:12 PM

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