Brooks was elected without opposition in a vote as the group met to organize its business in Nashville.
“I am looking forward to continuing to serve the House Republicans around the leadership table,” Brooks said. “As assistant majority leader, I will work closely with colleague and district neighbor, Majority Leader Gerald McCormick of Ooltewah.”
McCormick will hold the third-highest position in the Republican Caucus after House speaker and speaker pro tempore.
Brooks said, “I will also work closely with the new Haslam administration in bringing the governor’s legislative package to the caucus. It is humbling and an honor for my colleagues to have entrusted this responsibility to me.”
State Rep. Eric Watson said he glad about the leadership positions being occupied by legislators from Southeast Tennessee.
“It’s very important to have people from our region serving in higher positions of leadership,” Watson said.
Brooks said a highlight for him was having his son, Zach, in Nashville with him for the caucus elections. When asked about the visit, Zach, a freshman at Lee University said, “It was a very long meeting, but I enjoyed seeing behind the scenes as things happened.”
As earlier reported, the Republican Caucus nominee for speaker of the House is Rep. Beth Harwell, of Bellmeade. The speaker pro-tempore position was voted on in Wednesday’s organizational session with Rep. Judd Matheny, of Tullahoma, being nominated.
In other votes, the Republican Caucus elected Rep. Debra Maggart, of Hendersonville, as caucus chair; Rep. Barrett Rich, of Somerville, as whip; Rep. Vince Dean, of East Ridge, as floor leader; Rep. Tony Shipley, of Bristol, as secretary; Rep. Joey Hensley, of Hohenwald, as treasurer; and Rep. Ryan Haynes, of Farragut, as assistant floor leader.
The legislative session is scheduled to begin at noon Jan. 11, 2011.
Brooks serves the 24th Legislative District in Cleveland and Bradley County. He was first elected in 2006 and served in the 105th and 106th Assemblies.
He has served as vice chair of the House Children and Family Affairs Committee and vice chair of the House Domestic Relations Subcommittee. He has served as a member of the House Education Committee, House Finance, Ways and Means Committee, House Rules Committee and House Higher Education Subcommittee.
He and his wife, Kim, are actively involved in the community and local schools with their two children, Zach at Lee University and Elizabeth at Cleveland High School.
