A House Republican calls Senate Speaker Randy McNally a ‘groomer’ and ‘predator’ in letter requesting he resign

Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, R-Oak Ridge, who presides over Tennessee’s Senate, is being asked to resign from his post by a Republican member of the Tennessee House. The call comes after McNally’s Instagram activity was highlighted showing that he likes and comments on risque photos of a nearly nude young gay man. McNally’s refusing to go.

More: ‘I’m not anti-gay’: Tennessee Senate Speaker responds to questions about heart emojis on scantily clothed man’s Instagram posts

In a response to calls for resignation, McNally says he serves at the pleasure of the members of the Senate. No members of his caucus have called for his resignation. In fact, out of the 132 state lawmakers, House Republican Todd Warner, R-Chapel Hill, is the only one who signed onto the request for resignation. 

House Speaker Cameron Sexton is supporting McNally. 

“He’s apologized for it to those people that he offended. And I think the Senate and I think we are moving past it at this point,” Sexton said.

More: Tennessee Senate Speaker Randy McNally says his voting record is not anti-LGBTQ, following national backlash

McNally deactivated his Instagram account Wednesday, and earlier in the week, he issued a statement saying he was pausing his social media activity.

Warner was the subject of an FBI raid in 2021. The raid has so far resulted in the indictment of former House Speaker Glen Casada, R-Franklin, and his aide, Cade Cothren, as well as former House Republican Robin Smith, R-Hixson.