Haslam: Will be ‘hard’ for GOP Rep. Durham to be effective
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Republican Gov. Bill Haslam says it will be difficult for state Rep. Jeremy Durham to be an effective lawmaker after GOP leaders called for him to resign his seat amid sexual harassment allegations.
While Haslam did not directly call for Durham to step down, he said Tuesday he would “think hard” about resigning if he were in a similar situation.
State Republican Party Chairman Ryan Haynes and House Speaker Beth Harwell a day earlier called for Durham to quit the Legislature following news accounts that he had sent inappropriate text messages to women working at the General Assembly.
Durham stepped aside as House majority whip, but denied any wrongdoing. He said he will remain in his seat and run for re-election.
