NASHVILLE – Tennessee House GOP Caucus members are expected to meet Monday to discuss the political future of embattled Republican Speaker Glen Casada.
The move comes as the first-term speaker’s continued leadership has been rocked by a series of controversies after lewd and racist group text messages between Casada, his then-chief of staff, Cade Cothren, and an unidentified man were leaked to news organizations.
The meeting was pushed by Reps. Jason Zachary, R-Knoxville, and Jerry Sexton, R-Bean Station, who gathered the signatures of 10 other Republicans to convene the caucus. The vote will be closed to the public at the request of Zachary and Sexton.
Among Republicans signing the letter were Reps. Mike Carter of Ooltewah; Patsy Hazlewood of Signal Mountain, and Dan Howell of Georgetown, according to a copy of the missive posted by The Nashville Scene.
In his letter to Republican Caucus Chairman Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, Rep. Jerry Sexton, R-Bean Station, notes those signing shouldn’t be “construed” as taking a position regarding Casada.