Lee to call for special session to replace House speaker

In this March 4, 2019 file photo, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee delivers his first State of the State Address in Nashville, Tenn. Lee and Senate Speaker Randy McNally made the assertion about the state’s Medicaid program, TennCare, and another insurance initiative, CoverKids, in letters in May 2019 in response to criticism from Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)

by: Associated Press

Posted: Jun 17, 2019 / 07:30 AM AST

Updated: Jun 17, 2019 / 07:30 AM AST

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee’s governor says he will call for a special session to replace the state’s House speaker, who plans to step down amid a scandal over explicit text messages.

News outlets report that Gov. Bill Lee made the announcement to reporters Saturday night ahead of the Tennessee Republican Party’s Statesmen’s Dinner in Nashville.

Lee says he expects the special session will occur in August but he has not picked an exact date yet.

After a vote of no confidence by his Republican caucus, House Speaker Glen Casada announced he would resign on Aug. 2

Casada had been dogged by calls to resign since it was revealed he exchanged text messages containing sexually explicit language about women with his former chief of staff several years ago, among other controversies.