Sanderson to resign from state House

Rep. Bill Sanderson (R-Kenton) speaks with colleagues at a House GOP Caucus meeting in Nashville on July 24, 2019. (Erik Schelzig, Tennessee Journal)

State Rep. Bill Sanderson is resigning from the General Assembly. The Kenton Republican said he wants to spend more time with his family and on his business.

His resignation will be effective at noon Wednesday, meaning he could still vote for speaker in the House Republican Caucus meeting to nominate a new speaker earlier in the day.

Sanderson, who owns White Squirrel Winery, said it’s become increasingly difficult to juggle his business and legislative responsibilities. He told The Tennessean he lost 135 peach trees this year while serving in Nashville.

“It requires a full time,” he said. “I’m going to have to be at home more.”

Sanderson said he’s been considering stepping down for two months, but decided on a date after the “whole Casada thing came about.”

His resignation now will allow a special election to take place to replace him, rather than having the county commission decide.

Sanderson rejected rumors circulating around the legislative office building that Casada might be trying to pressure him with compromising information.

“Hell no,” Sanderson told The Tennessean.

“If there’s anything up here on me, I’m unaware of it,” he said.

UPDATE: Writer Cari Wade Gervin reports Sanderson was active on the Grindr same-sex dating app. Sanderson says the messages were faked. Read the full account below:

9 Responses to Sanderson to resign from state House

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

ABOUT THIS BLOG

Posts and Opinions about Tennessee politics, government, and legislative news.