according to a series of columns by Tennessean columnist Larry Daughtrey. Wilder was challenged within the Democratic caucus for nomination as speaker by State Senator Joe Haynes of Nashville. Later articles in The Tennessean and the Nashville City Paper cited the possibility that all 16 Republicans might vote for Senator Ron Ramsey of Blountville and that 16 Democrats, including Wilder himself, would vote for Wilder, with Democratic State Senator Jerry Cooper, accused of wrongful business dealings with a bank controlled by Wilder, abstaining to prevent any appearance of conflict of interest. Under Senate rules, a 16–16 tie would result in Wilder's retention of the speakership. However, in the vote held on January 9, 2007, all 17 Republicans voted for Ramsey and were joined by Democratic Senator Rosalind Kurita of Clarksville, ending Wilder's tenure as Speaker of the Senate and Lieutenant Governor of Tennessee. On March 8, 2007, the Tennessee news media reported that Wilder had been seriously injured in a fall and was in intensive care in a hospital in Memphis. He was released from the hospital on March 11, 2007, and returned home to finish his recuperation. In February 2008, the 2007-08 edition of the Tennessee Blue Book was dedicated to him. On March 20, 2008, Wilder announced his decision not to run for re-election later that year. Death Wilder died early on the morning of January 1, 2010 at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis following a stroke on December 28, 2009. He was survived by his younger brother Wiggins Wilder; his two sons: Shelton (John Jr.) and David; his four grandchildren: John III, Joseph, Jarod, and Whitney; and his five great-grandchildren: Jess (John IV), Suzie, Russell, Ansel and Marcel. References General Much of the information contained in this article is from the Tennessee Blue Book. The Tennessean, December 24, 2006; December 31, 2006, January 8, 2007 Nashville City Paper, January 3, 2007, January 8, 2007 Specific 1921 births 2010 deaths University of Tennessee alumni University of Memphis alumni Lieutenant Governors of Tennessee Democratic Party Tennessee state senators United States Army personnel of World War II People from Fayette County, Tennessee People from Somerville, Tennessee United States Army soldiers 20th-century American politicians 21st-century American politicians