Durham removes self from House GOP caucus amid investigation
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – State Rep. Jeremy Durham has withdrawn from the Tennessee House Republican Caucus amid an investigation into sexual harassment allegations.
Durham told his colleagues Wednesday that he would step away so he wouldn’t be a distraction to the majority party. The Franklin Republican previously resigned as House majority whip, though he has turned back demands from other GOP leaders that he step down from his House seat.
House Republican Caucus Chairman Glen Casada said Durham doesn’t lose his GOP affiliation by disassociating with the caucus, but will not be eligible to vote on priorities or receive joint campaign funds.
Casada said he doesn’t know whether it would require a vote to readmit Durham at some later date.
The move follows reports that women received inappropriate text messages from the lawmaker.
