Tennessee Lt. Gov. Randy McNally won a confidence vote by the Republican caucus on Monday, indicating that state senators are not yet willing to publicly distance themselves from the Senate speaker over the controversy sparked by McNally’s repeated comments about suggestive Instagram photos of a young man.
Republican senators voted 19-7 to support McNally’s leadership, his office said in a statement.
“I have always been honored, humbled and grateful for the support of my group,” McNally said. “I remain so today. We have a lot of important work to do before we finish the legislative session, including the budget. I look forward to getting there.”
Although senators have been reluctant to comment publicly on McNally’s political fortunes, some conservative media outlets and one House member have called for McNally to resign as speaker. McNally, who was recently re-elected to another term, could continue as a senator if she gives up the speakership.
Some community support has united Sen. For Paul Bailey for the McNally legacy.
McNally publicly apologized and at least temporarily shut down her Instagram account for engaging with risque photos of young men and other LGBTQ content.
The man, 20-year-old Franklin McClure, confirmed to The Tennessean McNally first friended her on Facebook when she was 17, but said her online content at the time was much more “conservative” than recent posts featuring the aspiring singer. bare or nearly bare.
McNally, according to McClure, did not post anything inappropriate in his private messages that the Tennessean did not review. McClure called McNally’s support “hypocrisy,” and the politician has supported a number of anti-LGBTQ bills.
Contact Melissa Brown at mabrown@tennessean.com.
Follow WT LOCAL on Social Media for the Latest News and Updates.
Share this news on your Facebook,Twitter and Whatsapp.
