NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A Tennessee lawmaker has resigned from thestate legislature, saying he needs to spend more time with his family and tendto his winery business.
News outlets report 59-year-old Rep. Bill Sanderson, R-Kenton,announced his retirement would take effect at noon Wednesday. He was servinghis fifth term.
Sanderson’s departure comes on the same day lawmakers gathered inNashville to select a replacement for House Speaker Glen Casada. Sanderson saidhe planned to cast his vote then officially retire.
Casada is scheduled to resign Aug. 2 after scandals involvingexplicit text messages.
As reasons for his resignation, Sanderson cited his growing wineryand his son-in-law who was recently diagnosed with throat cancer.
Sanderson says his resignation will allow a special election to becalled so voters can choose his successor.
