Press Release submitted by the Campaign to Elect Gayla C. Hendrix, State House District 40.
On September 13, by an overwhelming vote of 70 – 2, State Representative Jeremy Durham (R – Franklin) was expelled from the Tennessee Legislature for disorderly conduct relating to allegations of sexual harassment and having inappropriate sexual contact with 22 women and using his position of authority to intimidate, marginalize, and behave unacceptably toward female interns and subordinates. An extensive report, made public by Tennessee Attorney General Herbert Slatery in July of this year, outlined the allegations in detail.
Disturbingly, Representative Terri Lynn Weaver was one of two legislators who voted to allow him to complete his term and receive his taxpayer-funded pension, even in light of all the allegations.
“Today, Terri Lynn Weaver voted to excuse his sexual aggression and enable his unacceptable behavior, his mistreatment of others, and his repeated breaches of sworn duty as a Tennessee lawmaker.” Said Gayla Hendrix.
Hendrix, who is running against Weaver in the November election, said that this kind of vote shows the true morals of her opponent. “Terri Lynn talks a good line about strong morals and family values, but where were those morals and values earlier today when she stood with a sexual predator instead of the overwhelming and bipartisan majority of her peers in the Tennessee House of Representatives and voters across the state?”
In addition, the Hendrix campaign released the following statement regarding her opponent’s vote on today’s expulsion proceedings:
“Terri Lynn’s support of Jeremy Durham is detestable, sickening, and a slap in the face of everyone who has experienced sexual harassment in the workplace. Her vote to allow him to remain in the legislature and collect a lifetime pension is evidence of her willingness to be fiscally careless with Tennessee tax dollars. As a former domestic violence prosecutor, I know first-hand the kind of trauma the 22 women in the report experienced. Her insensitivity to these women – the threats and intimidation they experienced – is proof that she has neither the moral conviction nor the strength of character the voters of District 40 deserve from our elected representative.”
Paid for by the Campaign to Elect Gayla C. Hendrix, State House District 40, Joy Parker, Treasurer
Gayla Hendrix – Candidate for State Representative in District 40
