An article in this week’s issue of Politico calls Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam “the most important Republican governor you’ve never heard of,” suggesting that his “pro-growth platform” may be just what national Republicans need. According to the story, Haslam has disavowed any interest in national office, but to friends and allies, his experience in Tennessee could be a model for a party looking for ideas that appeal to the middle class. Haslam is in the nation’s capital this week for a meeting of the National Governors Association.

Fabian Farrall Story, executive director of Conservatives on the Move, was indicted by a Washington County grand jury on one count of theft over $10,000 for raising approximately $30,000 for a 2011 Republican presidential campaign forum that never occurred, the Johnson City Press reports. According to Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Story withdrew the money from the a Washington County bank but never held the event or refunded the donors.

Former Tennessee Republican Party chief of staff Mark Winslow is including the state party in a defamation suit against U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, R-Chattanooga, and advisor Chip Saltsman, the Tennessean reports. Winslow claims a television ad that ran shortly before the 2010 Republican primaries stated that Fleischmann's opponent, and former party chairwoman, Robin Smith paid “lavish bonuses” to staff, including Winslow. The suit states the ad may have referred to the severance payment Winslow received although it was supposed to be confidential. Winslow claims the depiction of his payment was libelous and that he lost political consulting work as a result.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam will kick off his re-election bid with a reception Jan. 7 in Knoxville. He also has a fundraiser planned in Nashville sometime before Jan. 8 when the legislature goes into session. Though no primary opponent is expected, House Minority Leader and Ripley Democrat Craig Fitzhugh has said he is willing to be a candidates that Democrats could "rally around" at the top of the ticket in 2014. KnoxNews.com Columnist Georgia Vines reports

State Sen. Roy Herron confirmed today that he is running for chairman of the Tennessee Democratic Party, the Tennessean reports. Herron, who decided to run after a family member’s health issue was resolved late last week, joins at least four other candidates for the position: Jane Hampton Bowen, Dave Garrison, Wade Munday and Ben Smith. The state party’s 72 executive committee members will decide on Jan. 26.

Election watchdog organizations are urging the Justice Department and Federal Election Commission to investigate more than $12 million in campaign contributions to a prominent tea party group that passed through two Tennessee companies. The organizations said the donation was the largest anonymous political donation of the year and appeared to violate federal law prohibiting individuals from making campaign contributions in the name of another person. The groups also allege that the Knoxville lawyer who registered the companies may have violated laws by failing to identify them as political committees and file financial statements for them. The Memphis Daily News has the story.

Brent Leatherwood, spokesman for the state House Republican Caucus, has been named executive director of the state GOP, The Tennessean reports. Leatherman is a former congressional staffer and has worked on several U.S. House and Senate campaigns. He succeeds Adam Nickas who left to run the Nashville office of Mississippi-based lobbying firm Capitol Resources.

Leading House Democratic Craig Fitzhugh has been rumored to be considering a run for governor in 2014, according to reports. When asked directly by the Nashville City Paper, he said, “I wouldn’t rule it out at all.” Fitzhugh has served in the legislature for almost 20 years, largely as the caucus’ budget expert. He ran for minority leader in 2010 and was re-elected to the post Wednesday.

Chattanooga mayoral candidate Rob Healy announced this morning that he is dropping out of the race, the Chattanooga Times Free Press reports. He cited the staggering amount of money needed to pay for campaigns as a reason for his withdrawal. His departure leaves two candidates for mayor: former Democratic State Sen. Andy Berke and former city employee Guy Satterfield

Tennessee Democratic Party Caucus chairman Mike Turner of Old Hickory fended off a challenge from Rep. Johnny Shaw of Bolivar, who said he would bring a more cooperative spirit to the position. With reelection, Turner said he expects to be as fiery as ever. Democrats in both chambers return to the upcoming session with historically low numbers as Republicans hold two-thirds majorities.