KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — A member of the House Republican Caucus said a meeting to address the allegations against House Speaker Glen Casada has been requested.
Casada is accused of sending sexually explicit text messages to his former Chief of Staff Cade Cothern. Cothern later resigned.
Casada has apologized but refuses to step down.
Knoxville representative Jason Zachary said Tuesday the official request for a caucus meeting was submitted late Monday night.
He said he expects that meeting to take place next week.
If Casada resigns or is forced out, Rep. Bill Dunn of Knoxville would rise to become Speaker. Acknowledging that the succession puts him in an awkward position to speak publicly on this topic, Dunn detailed a private phone call he had with Casada last week during which he told the Speaker to step down.
“I said I thought he needed to step down,” Dunn told 10News in his first interview on this topic on Friday, May 10. “I went into details the reasons why. He didn’t agree with me obviously. I’ve let it be known my feelings and each member needs to search their heart and make their decision.”
