Tennessee state Rep. Jeremy Durham (R) is being banished for inappropriate physical conduct with government staffers. The Tennessee legislature is worried he:
“[…] may pose a continuing risk to unsuspecting women.”
Durham was ordered to move his office to a building across the street to have distance from him and other lawmakers, lobbyists, and interns. His access to some legislative areas has been restricted and he is to have no contact with any legislative staff or interns other than his assistant if it isn’t on official business.
The decision was made in response to Attorney General Herbert Slatery’s investigation of the sexual harassment claims. His office interviewed 34 current and former lawmakers, lobbyists, staffers, and interns. The investigation led to the conclusion that Durham used his power to acquire women’s personal contact information, saying it was for official legislative business. He would then ask the women to “meet up” or to send him pictures of themselves. He would also “make inappropriate comments of a sexual nature or engaged in inappropriate physical contact with some women.”
Durham has a long history in his legislative career of engaging in things frowned upon. The Tennessean reported on three women that said they had received unseemly text messages from Durham. Durham swears up and down he doesn’t remember sending the texts. Durham resigned from his position as House Majority Whip on January 24.
Days later, Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey pushed to have Durham removed for having an affair with another lawmaker. Ramsey clarified by saying:
“We don’t want the press lynching anybody, but the press didn’t force somebody to have an affair with another state rep and force them to resign.”
Back in 2014, his fellow House members also questioned his decision to be a character reference for a youth pastor who admitted to statutory rape and owning child pornography. After he screamed “F-ck you” to a group of lobbyists during a legislative session, one lobbyist characterized Durham as being:
“[…] like a spoiled frat kid. He’s like a frat boy.”
Women have protested to have him expelled from the House by blocking House Speaker Beth Harwell’s office and leaving signs on the floor of Durham’s office saying “resign.” Durham told WKRN-TV in Nashville that he was:
“Disappointed that these young liberals would turn a serious matter into political grandstanding.”
Because somehow protesting the fact that this misogynist still has a job, a job of high standing for that matter, when he would be immediately fired from any other job for the same exact thing he is accused of is just “political grandstanding.”
Durham has announced last week that he will run for re-election and is dedicated to making conservative voices heard in Nashville. The real question is how valid can his voice be when the same voice is sexually harassing and belittling his co-workers?
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