NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee House Republicans have elected Majority Leader Glen Casada as the chamber's next speaker.
House GOP lawmakers picked the Franklin Republican during a caucus meeting Tuesday to elect a slate of new leaders for the upcoming legislative session. Casada received 47 votes out of 73 Republicans in the 99-member chamber on the first ballot. He defeated Reps. Curtis Johnson and David Hawk.
Casada promised to help re-elect every Republican in the House, add subcommittees and increase the House's role in the state budget process.
Casada replaces Speaker Beth Harwell, a Nashville Republican who left the Legislature in an unsuccessful bid for governor.
The House will cast official votes for leadership positions in January.
Senate Republicans are expected to pick Speaker Randy McNally to keep his leadership post on Dec. 3.