NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A Franklin man is planning a Republican primary challenge to embattled state Rep. Jeremy Durham.
Retired Army Col. Sam Whitson tells The Tennessean that he’s assembled a team for the planned challenge.
Whitson says the Williamson County district needs a representative with what he calls "character, courage and a total commitment to our county."
Durham's role as House majority whip is the subject of a GOP caucus meeting on Jan. 12 that follows revelations that prosecutors once recommended prescription fraud charges against him. Durham also wrote a character reference for a former youth pastor who pleaded guilty to child porn possession and statutory rape.
House Speaker Beth Harwell had the lawmaker lectured by legislative staffers about his behavior.