Commissioner Michael Lankford Wins House Seat Appointment with the Assistance of His Opponent’s Former Supporter

Commissioner Michael Lankford (Photo by Lankford)

Montgomery Mayor Wes Golden provided the tie-breaking vote Monday night to appoint County Commissioner Michael Lankford to serve out the remaining term of the late Representative Jeff Burkhart, R-Clarksville, but he may only have had that opportunity because of one commissioner’s party switch.

Graphic by Allie4TN

The final 9-9 vote came along party lines, with Republicans on the Montgomery County Commission supporting Lankford, who’s a Republican, and Democrats supporting their party’s nominee for the House District 75 seat last year, Allie Phillips. Both candidates split the five independent commissioner votes, leaving Mayor Golden to break the tie.

Commissioner Gallant’s Party Switch

Commissioner Ryan Gallant supported Lankford in Monday night’s vote, despite endorsing Phillips last year in her race against Representative Burkhart. During the 2024 race, Phillips shared a quote from him on social media.

“Allie is a formidable force for women’s rights, she knows the importance and burden that comes with making very personal health care decisions those of which some people won’t care to understand; but Allie cares and understands the struggle people go through, everyday,” wrote Phillips, quoting Gallant. “She knows the importance of ensuring those without a voice have a strong leader who is fearless, and takes on the toughest battles directly. I have great respect for her, and I recommend everyone votes for Allie Phillips in November.”

Gallant ran for his commissioner’s seat as a Democrat, but the Montgomery County Democratic Party confirmed to the Tennessee Firefly that he has renounced his membership and is now a Republican.

Vouchers Versus Continuity

Both Lankford and Phillips made very different cases for the appointment at the commission’s meeting last week.

Allie Phillips (Photo by Phillips)

Phillips touted the more than 45 percent of the vote she received running against Burkhart and promised to oppose the expansion of the state’s Education Freedom Scholarship Act, which allows families to use taxpayer dollars to send their children to private school.

“Right now, Clarksville-Montgomery County Schools are facing a crisis. A crisis hidden behind the words ‘school choice.’ A phrase that sounds empowering but quietly drains resources from the classrooms that need them the most. The reality is that private schools are choosing their students, not the other way around, all while using taxpayer dollars to do it,” said Phillips.

Lankford called the late Representative Burkhart a mentor and said House District 75 needs someone in place who can provide continuity and seamless advocacy.

“Our community deserves representation that doesn’t pause or start over. Someone who already knows the people, who knows the priorities, and someone who has already earned their trust,” said Lankford. “We need someone who knows the challenges because they’ve lived them and someone who understands the bottlenecks because they’ve worked through them right here in this room with you.”

Commissioners chose Lankford over six nominees for the House appointment, which, in addition to Phillips, included County Commissioner Nathan Burkholder, businessman Adolph Dagan, former school board member Kent Griffy, and former police officer Kevin McPherson.