NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – House Speaker Beth Harwell and State Republican Party Chairman Ryan Haynes on Monday called for state Rep. Jeremy Durham to resign from his seat in the Tennessee General Assembly amid allegations of sexual harassment.
In a news conference at the legislative office complex, Harwell also announced an overhaul of sexual harassment policies following a report in The Tennessean over the weekend that Durham sent inappropriate text messages to women working at the Legislature.
“In light of these recent revelations, it is important that Rep. Durham step down from his position as a member of this body,” Haynes said.
Harwell said it would ultimately be Durham’s decision, but she said she believes he should resign.
“I think I’ve made my feelings clear,” she said. “I think he needs help, and I think it would be in his best interest.”