Beavers ousted from Judiciary Committee

State Sen. Mae Beavers was at the center of a major shakeup Thursday in Senate committee appointments.

The longtime state senator learned she would no longer serve on the Senate’s Judiciary Committee.

Beavers served on the Judiciary Committee for six years, most recently as chair of the powerful legislative entity.

Sen. Brian Kelsey, R-Collierville, will replace Beavers as chairman of the Judiciary Committee.

Beavers said she saw this coming. She believes her ousting resulted from her position as a vocal advocate of judicial ethics reform and direct elections of judges.

“I think it’s a backlash from really trying to make a difference for the people,” said Beavers. “I’ve got principles, and I’ve stuck to my principles all the time. My conscience is clear that I did the right thing in that position.”

Beavers will now serve as vice-chair of the Transportation and Safety Committee and as vice-chair of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

She hopes her new committee appointment on the Transportation Committee will enable her to help bring more roads to Wilson County.

Beavers also said she does not expect many bills to go through the Energy and Natural Resources committee.