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Republicans in the Tennessee House of Representatives are set to elect their pick to replace Glen Casada.
Six men will try to convince fellow lawmakers Wednesday to vote for them by positioning themselves as a different kind of leader.
Rep. Mike Carter, R-Ooltewah, is one of the contenders. He has publicly expressed his disagreements with Casada. In fact, he circulated a petition earlier this year to get Casada kicked out of the chamber altogether.
Meanwhile, Curtis Johnson, R-Clarksville, is running again for the speakership, despite losing to Casada last year.
GOP Caucus Chairman Cameron Sexton, former chairman Ryan Williams, and Jay Reedy, R-Erin, are also running.
And there’s Deputy Speaker Matthew Hill, who has been an ally of Casada. According to The Tennessean, he has been courting freshmen lawmakers by treating them to dinner, and giving away campaign donations.
The caucus vote will take place Wednesday at 9 a.m. in the Capitol. Because Republicans hold a supermajority, the winner of the vote is expected to become the next House Speaker.
The full House will vote officially elect the speaker during the special session on Aug. 23.
Casada announced last month his intentions on stepping down from the House's top post. His last day leading the lower chamber is Aug. 2.
His decision came after he lost a no-confidence vote from the House Republican Caucus after sexist and lewd text messages between him and his former chief of staff were leaked to the media.
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