NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - House Speaker Beth Harwell says the scandal surrounding a Republican lawmaker who has gone on hiatus amid allegations of sexual harassment and other questionable behavior shouldn't damage her prospects as a serious gubernatorial candidate in Tennessee.
The Nashville Republican stressed to reporters after a speech to the state chapter of the National Federation of Independent Business that while she is still considering a run for governor in 2018, she has not yet made up her mind.
Harwell said she has been working toward a "cultural change" at the state Capitol following allegations of inappropriate behavior by Rep. Jeremy Durham toward women working at the Legislature.
Harwell last week called on Durham to resign and ordered an overhaul of the chamber's sexual harassment policies for the first time in 19 years.