NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – State Rep. Jeremy Durham on Wednesday withdrew from the Tennessee House Republican Caucus amid an investigation into sexual harassment allegations.
The Franklin Republican previously resigned as House majority whip, though he has turned back demands from other GOP leaders that he step down from his House seat.
Durham has vigorously denied any wrongdoing and has pledged to “aggressively” seek re-election. But he was subdued when he addressed his colleagues on Wednesday morning, telling them that he did not want his situation to become a distraction to the caucus.
“I’m going to make sure I’m doing everything right on my end, and talk to my wife and my doctor,” Durham said.
The move follows news reports this week that women working at the Legislative office complex had received inappropriate text messages from the lawmaker and that two women had complained to House Majority Leader Gerald McCormick about Durham’s behavior. None of the women filed formal complaints.