Casada calls for Republican caucus meeting to discuss Durham’s leadership

Franklin State Rep. Jeremy Durham could have his fate decided as Republican majority whip of the Tennessee General Assembly in early January.

Franklin State Rep. Jeremy Durham could have his fate as Republican majority whip of the Tennessee General Assembly decided in early January, with a fellow Republican in Williamson County calling a meeting to discuss his leadership role.

“As Chairman of the Republican Caucus, I am calling a meeting to be held on Jan. 12 to discuss upcoming legislative issues and the leadership position of majority whip,” State Representative Glen Casada (R-Thompson Station) said.

The meeting comes in the wake of an investigation of Durham after a pharmacist questioned the date on a prescription he submitted, and a pre-sentencing letter he wrote on behalf of a Bedford County pastor convicted on child porn charges. The prescription fraud case was presented to a grand jury, which did not return an indictment.

Casada said he had not asked for Durham’s resignation at any point.

“I don’t think he should resign from whip,” Casada said. “The grand jury acquitted him unanimously, and he wrote a letter that probably wasn’t in the best of taste, but I don’t understand the vendetta. He’s done nothing to forfeit his seat or leadership.

“I think we need to put this to bed. I am not calling to get rid of him. It’s just the opposite. None of this is called for.”

Speaker of the House Beth Harwell said only the caucus can determine whether Durham will continue to serve as the party’s whip.

“It is my understanding that a formal request for a caucus meeting has been made to Leader [Rep. Gerald] McCormick to address this issue,” she said. “I am sorry this has been a distraction from the important business of the state.”

The Chattanooga Republican said at noon today that he had receive a number of requests from members of the caucus for a meeting to discuss Durham.

“Certainly we will honor those requests and have a meeting to discuss this issue,” he said. “I’m looking forward to putting this distraction behind us and moving on with the business of the state.”

Sen. Jack Johnson said as far he was concerned, anything that happened to Durham wasn’t within his political realm to debate.

“Jeremy is a good friend, and I’ve really enjoyed serving with him,” he said. “Any issues regarding his leadership is a matter for the house to decide.”

Durham was not available for comment.

Casada said he would have to check with the assembly’s clerk office for the official time of the majority whip discussion on Jan. 12.