NASHVILLE (AP) - House Republican Caucus Chairman Glen Casada has drawn his first primary opponent in a decade.
The Tennessean newspaper reports (http://tnne.ws/18WrmOK) that Cherie Hammond, a member of the Williamson County school board, plans to challenge Casada next year.
Casada's responsibilities as the No. 3 Republican in the House include overseeing and supporting the races of all GOP nominees for the 99-member chamber in next year's elections.
Casada, who was first elected to the House in 2001, has not faced a primary challenge since the 2004 election. His campaign account had a balance of about $153,000 through the first half of the year.
Casada in 2010 made an bid for House speaker, but lost out to Rep. Beth Harwell, a Nashville Republican.