NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) – The chief of staff for Republican House Speaker Glen Casada, Cade Cothren, has verbally resigned after text messages came to light.
The tipping point may have been “sexually explicit” text messages reported in The Tennessean late Monday that Cothren allegedly sent during a period of time in 2014-2016.
Cothren has admitted to drug use during that time and seeking help.
Speaker Casada referenced that in a statement Monday as to why he gave Cothren a “second chance” and “glad that he did.”
Cothren issued a statement to News 2.
It’s the right thing to do. I don’t want to be a distraction to all the good things leadership and the General Assembly have done this session. Republicans in the House and Senate accomplished a plethora of great things this year. We have a hell of a leadership team in both chambers, and I couldn’t be more proud to work with them in 2019. At this point, the best thing for me to do is step down so House and Senate Republicans can continue focusing on those things that make Tennessee the best state in the entire nation.
