John Morgan was re-elected as Tennessee's Comptroller today, along with Dale Sims as the State Treasurer, but most of the GOP members abstained from endorsing their election.

While their re-election to their respective positions was a foregone conclusion, the Republicans were sending a message by sitting on their hands and showing support for a colleague against whom Morgan and Sims had campaigned during last year's election season.

"They all campaigned against me this last election," State Rep. William Baird (R-Jacksboro) told NashvillePost.com, referring to Gov. Phil Bredesen and House Speaker Jimmy Naifeh as well as Sims and Morgan. "The constitutional officers are supposed to be non-partisan. They should not be out campaigning against members of the legislature."

When asked if the tactic of withholding their support of the two was setting a partisan tone for this legislative session, Baird replied: "This sends a message for the day and could be the tone for the whole session."

State Sen. Diane Black (R-Gallatin) echoed Baird's concerns and abstained from voting, but added "I believe both John Morgan and Dale Sims do a good job and I am confident that they will continue to do a good job. I am disappointed that they would go out and campaign against an 8-year incumbent, because they need to stay neutral."

Black was asked if this was a partisan message on the heels of yesterday's GOP takeover of the lieutenant governor post by Ron Ramsey (R-Blountville). "Yesterday was a message that it is not business as usual here," she replied. "We want people to know that, and that is what is happening today as well."