Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee promised to call a special session to remove House Speaker Glen Casada if he does not resign, following a no-confidence vote by House Republicans.
Lee on Monday night tweeted, “Today House Republicans sent a clear message, and I’m prepared to call a special session if the Speaker doesn’t resign.”
Today House Republicans sent a clear message, and I’m prepared to call a special session if the Speaker doesn’t resign.
— Gov. Bill Lee (@GovBillLee) May 21, 2019
After the vote of no confidence, Casada said he was “disappointed” but would “work the next few months to regain the confidence of my colleagues so we can continue to build on the historic conservative accomplishments of this legislative session,” according to the Chattanooga Times Free Press.
According to a story by WSMV:
Lee issued the statement after the 45-24 vote of no confidence taken against Casada after a lengthy meeting of the House Republican Caucus.
House Majority Leader William Lamberth also called for Casada to resign and asked Lee to call a special session.
House Republican leaders called for Casada’s resignation and supported the governor’s declaration, according to a story by The Tennessee Journal: On the Hill. Signing the statement were:
Rep. Cameron Sexton (Caucus Chairman
Rep. Ron Gant (Assistant Majority Leader)
Rep. Matthew Hill (Deputy Speaker)
Rep. Chris Todd (Freshman Leader)
Rep. Rick Tillis (Majority Whip)
Rep. Paul Sherrell (Majority Floor Leader)
Rep. Clay Doggett (Majority Secretary)
Rep. Mark Cochran (Majority Treasurer)
As The Tennessee Star reported, the controversies have been identified and published by media outlets including NewsChannel 5 and The Tennessean.
Phil Williams of NewsChannel 5 led the attacks on the Speaker with a report earlier this month that alleged (1) the Speaker’s staff altered the date of an email sent to the Speaker by social justice warrior and Vanderbilt Divinity Student Justin Jones to “frame” him for violating a court order and (2) the Speaker exchanged offensive text messages in 2016 with Cade Cothren and an unnamed former aide. Cothren resigned as Casada’s chief of staff.
State Rep. Mike Carter (R-Ooltewah) on Friday called for Casada’s resignation, alleging he attempted to “rig and interfere with” a proposed advisory opinion of the House Ethics Committee.
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Jason M. Reynolds has more than 20 years’ experience as a journalist at outlets of all sizes.
