NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — On Wednesday, NewsChannel 5 learned that a group of ten republican representatives sent a letter to their caucus chair, asking for a "blind vote" on whether Tennessee House Speaker Glen Casada has the support of his fellow party members.
The letter comes amid a growing number of calls for resignation from both sides of the aisle. But if Casada doesn't step down, what could happen next?
Since the legislative session is over, any action would have to wait until the 2020 session or come in a special session. A special session can be called by the Governor. Governor Bill Lee has said if Casada were a member of his administration, he would ask him to resign. But Lee has also said it is up to the House to decide.
The House of Representatives can call for a special session as well, but NewsChannel 5 political analyst Pat Nolan said that is a more complicated approach.
"It's just a lot more complicated an difficult one because you need a large majority of 99 members to say lets do this," Nolan said.
If a special session is called, it would take a two-thirds vote to expel Casada from the legislature. While uncommon, it's not unheard of. In 2016, 70 representatives voted to expel Jeremy Durham after he was accused of sexual harassment.
If Casada steps down, resigns, or even just relinquishes the speakership, Rep. Bill Dunn, a Knoxville republican, will take over the role.
"He could stay in that position until lawmakers decided they want to elect a new one, of course they could do that next January when they come back," Nolan said.
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