NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Leading Senate Republicans are discussing plans to make Sen. Randy McNally of Oak Ridge the new lieutenant governor.

McNally, who chairs the Senate Finance, Ways and Means Committee, would replace Ron Ramsey, who is both the current lieutenant governor and Senate Speaker. Ramsey, a Republican from Blountville, announced last week that he would not seek re-election.

The Tennessean (http://tnne.ws/1RwaOx9 ) is reporting that Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris told reporters that he pitched the idea of McNally taking the position after Ramsey. McNally, a 72-year-old Republican from Oak Ridge, would likely take over on an interim basis and only after Ramsey leaves.

Norris, a Republican from Collierville, said he is interested in possibly running for governor in 2018, and for that reason has all but ruled out replacing Ramsey himself.

Information from: The Tennessean, www.tennessean.com

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