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.

NEW tonight: Ahead of tomorrow morning's House Republican Caucus vote to elect a new speaker, Rep. Bill Sanderson says he is resigning from the legislature. #tnleg https://t.co/rsPWSgiqY8

— Natalie Allison (@natalie_allison) July 24, 2019

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.”

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:

Why is Rep. Bill Sanderson resigning? Because he's been using Grindr while voting for anti-LGBT legislation, despite having a gay son. https://t.co/9cTnJnvh7I

— Cari Wade Gervin (@carigervin) July 24, 2019