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Speaker Casada losing Republican support

Posted at 6:54 PM, May 09, 2019
and last updated 2019-05-09 20:42:17-04

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — One week after news first broke that House Speaker Glen Casada was sending sexually explicit texts to his former Chief of Staff, key Republicans are now breaking ranks with Casada indicating his position of power may be in trouble.

The Republican from Williamson County skipped a regularly State Building Commission meeting Thursday. But members like Lt. Governor Randy McNally indicated they thought it was time for Casada to step down.

Lawmakers call for House Speaker to resign

"If I was in that deep of water, I would just go home," McNally said in an interview.

Casada also lost the support of the Tennessee Firearms Association.

"If you can’t go into his office and trust you to tell you the truth, then he’s the wrong person in that office. He should resign and if he won’t, the members of the House should do what’s necessary to remove him as speaker," said Executive Director John Harris.

Even more troubling for Speaker Casada, Representative Jason Zachary, a Republican from Knoxville, said on Twitter he is formally requesting for his caucus to meet. He's not calling on Casada to resign but there is only one way the house Speaker could be removed. In a special session either called by the governor or a two thirds majority petition by House members.

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