Tennessee House Speaker Glen Casada (R) announced Tuesday that he would resign his leadership role at a yet-to-be-determined date. On May 20, 2019, the House Republican Caucus approved a resolution of no confidence in Casada by a 45-24 vote. Casada said that he would not be resigning his seat in the house.

 

The announcement followed revelations that Casada’s chief of staff Cade Cothren had engaged in professional misconduct. Cothren was accused of inappropriate treatment of female lobbyists and interns and use of cocaine in the legislative office building. Casada and Cothren were also accused of exchanging text messages containing sexually explicit comments.

 

Casada was first elected speaker in January 2019. He said that he would set a date for his resignation after meeting with other legislative leaders on June 3.

 

Speaker pro tempore Bill Dunn (R) will succeed Casada on an interim basis. Republicans hold a 73-26 majority in the chamber.

 

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