House Speaker Glen Casada, flanked by Lt. Gov. Randy McNally (left) and Gov. Bill Lee
Fresh off a European vacation and a no-confidence vote from his fellow Republicans, House Speaker Glen Casada on Tuesday said he would resign his leadership position, effective Aug. 2.
In a letter to members of the state House, Casada said he would ask Gov. Bill Lee to call a special session following the August resignation in order for the chamber to elect a new leader.
The decision follows weeks of escalating turmoil in Casada’s office, as racist and sexually explicit text messages from his chief of staff Cade Cothren led to the aide’s resignation. Democrats and others continued to call for Casada himself to resign his leadership position, but it took several days for Republicans to take up the cry. In the text messages published by NewsChannel 5 and The Tennessean, Casada playfully chided Cothren for his sexual performance and asked if dancing women in a video sent by Cothren were of legal age. Other critics have questioned how inaccurate information about a black activist made its way from the speaker's office to the Nashville district attorney. The fallout from the ongoing Casada controversy has led to attention from more than one national media outlet.
House Republicans called a caucus meeting to discuss Casada’s leadership, and ultimately voted in favor of a no-confidence resolution. The speaker initially said he would try to win back their confidence, but Lee said he would call a special session if Casada did not step down, and Casada said he would.
Casada will continue to receive his $6,079 monthly salary in the meantime.
Deputy Speaker Matthew Hill (R-Jonesborough) and Rep. Mike Carter (R-Ooltewah) are both already seeking Casada’s leadership position. Several others are considering their options, including Speaker Pro Tem Bill Dunn (R-Knoxville), who would temporarily take over from Casada upon his resignation.
