NASHVILLE — Embattled Rep. Jeremy Durham, R-Franklin, told fellow House Republican Caucus members this morning that he will “seperate” himself from the group and seek help amid an uproar over his alleged sexual harassment of women workers at Legislative Plaza.
“I’m going to talk to my wife and my doctor,” Durham told the majority caucus although admitting nothing.
Top leaders from Republican House Speaker Beth Harwell on down have either outright called for Durham’s resignation or strongly suggested it.
“I don’t want to be a distraction to the caucus,” Durham said. “I think while this is going on I need to separate myself.”
However, Durham, who previously quit his leadership post as majority whip, is not resigning his legislative seat.
The Tennessean over the weekend cited complaints by three unidentified women who said Durham had sent unwelcome text messages to them at night.
House Majority Leader Gerald McCormick, R-Chattanooga, told the Times Free Press earlier this week that two women came and complained to him about Durham’s behavior.
McCormick said he urged them to speak with the Legislature’s legal office and file a formal complaint. They did not, however, said McCormick, who noted he again urged them to do so but they appeared fearful about retaliation. McCormick, the second most powerful official in the House, said he tried to assure them everything would be OK.
Harwell told the caucus this morning she recently reached out to one of the women, asking what could be done to make her comfortable about proceeding with a complaint