Lawmakers line up to replace Casada

Friday, May 24, 2019, Vol. 43, No. 21

NASHVILLE (AP) — A handful of lawmakers are throwing their name into the race to be Tennessee's next House speaker.

House Speaker Glen Casada has announced this week he will resign after his GOP caucus held a 45-24 secret ballot vote declaring members didn't have confidence in his ability to lead due to his involvement in several high-profile scandals.

Several names have since declared interest in the role, including Deputy Speaker Matthew Hill.

Earlier this year, Hill led a key rule legislative change requiring that ethics complaints must be co-signed by at least two lawmakers. Hill said the change was based on a "biblical standard."

Meanwhile, Speaker Pro Tem Bill Dunn and Rep. Mike Carter — both early advocates of Casada resigning when the scandal first erupted — say they're interested in the speakership.