Tennessee House speaker to resign amid text message scandal
Source: Associated Press
Kimberlee Kruesi and Jonathan Mattise, Associated Press Updated 7:16 pm CDT, Tuesday, May 21, 2019
Photo: Mark Humphrey, AP
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FILE - In this May 1, 2019 file photo, House Speaker Glen Casada, R-Franklin, stands at the microphone during a House session in Nashville, Tenn. Casada announced Tuesday, May 21, 2019 he plans to resign from his leadership post following a vote of no confidence by his Republican caucus amid a scandal over explicit text messages.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Tennessee's embattled House speaker said Tuesday that he plans to resign from his leadership post following a vote of no confidence by his Republican caucus amid a scandal over explicit text messages.
The move is unprecedented in Tennessee's modern political era. The last speaker resignation came in 1931 in the Senate.
"When I return to town on June 3, I will meet with caucus leadership to determine the best date for me to resign as speaker so that I can help facilitate a smooth transition," Glen Casada said in a statement.
The speaker announced the decision just a day after previously shrugging off a 45-24 secret ballot vote from his GOP caucus determining they no longer had confidence in his ability to lead the Tennessee House. Casada said he would work to regain his colleagues' trust.
Read more: https://www.chron.com/news/us/article/Tennessee-s-House-speaker-to-resign-after-no-13866365.php
Rep. Glen Casada would gavel them as they'd never been gaveled.
Rep. Glen Casada, R-Franklin
House Speaker Glen Casada, a 'political animal,' faces his most important day in a nearly 20-year career
Joel Ebert and Natalie Allison, Nashville Tennessean Published 10:00 p.m. CT May 18, 2019
. . .
That's when the 59-year-old Williamson County resident could be the subject of a vote from the 73-member Republican caucus over his role involving misogynistic text messages with his former chief of staff.
Cade Cothren, Casada's former top aide, resigned May 6 after The Tennessean published a story detailing inappropriate sexual text messages about women sent to Casada. Cothren previously admitted to cocaine use in the legislature's office building and also faced media reports of sending racist text messages.
The scandal exploded after the legislative session ended just two weeks ago, which was Casada's first as speaker.
. . .
Interviews with Casada's current and former colleagues paint a picture of a tenacious political survivor, an affable man willing to fight battles with little regard to the damage in his wake.
Former Rep. Billy Spivey praised Casada for his understanding of the rules of the House and GOP caucus.
"He knew how to navigate with venom," Spivey said.
While Casada has used his clout and political deftness to stamp out threats in the past, Monday's unprecedented meeting presents the greatest challenge to his career in public office.
Former Casada friend says he 'lost his moral compass'
More:
https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/politics/2019/05/19/glen-casada-gop-caucus-vote-looming-amid-text-message-scandal-tennessee-legislature/3706106002/
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