A handful of Republican lawmakers are joining calls for House Speaker Glen Casada to resign from his top legislative leadership position.
Casada has faced increased scrutiny on Wednesday after his top aide, Cade Cothren, stepped down Monday amid allegations he sent racist and sexually explicit text messages. Cothren also acknowledged using cocaine in his legislative office several years ago.
Republican Rep. Jeremy Faison told The Associated Press he saw no way for Casada to be an effective leader.
Speaker Pro Tempore Bill Dunn is Casada's immediate successor and told The Tennessean he agreed Casada should step down.
Republican Gov. Bill Lee has declined to say if Casada should resign, but has described the recent events as disturbing and shouldn't be tolerated.
