Five legislators to watch in 2012

Some East Tennessee legislators outside of official leadership who may play a noticeable role in shaping the course of events during the 2012 session of the 107th General Assembly:

Sen. Mike Bell, R-Riceville. An outspoken critic of the state's judicial selection system as a "fraud on the voters," Bell is in a new position this year to put more power behind his voice. He has been named chairman of the Senate Government Operations Committee, which has first shot at deciding whether various state boards and commissions will die or be given new life and, if so, under what conditions. Up for "sunset" this year without favorable action by his committee is the Judicial Nominating Commission, a centerpiece of the judge selection system, along with the Court of the Judiciary, which disciplines judges and has been accused of laxity by some legislators.

Sen. Andy Berke, D-Chattanooga. The only Democratic senator living in East Tennessee, Berke has been targeted for defeat in a Republican Senate redistricting plan that takes Democrat-oriented voters in Marion County away from his Chattanooga-based district and adds Republican-oriented voters in Bradley County. A lawyer, he is already something of a point man in arguing against the majority view on issues and may enhance his efforts in what could be his last year as a legislator — starting with redistricting. He's also eyeing a run for Chattanooga mayor.

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