Investigators have found that state Rep. Jeremy Durham repeatedly made sexual advances toward staffers and lobbyists and carried out an affair in his office with a young political volunteer.
But state lawmakers are not recommending expelling him from the legislature, because they say only voters can keep him out permanently.
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Investigators say that since he first arrived in the state Capitol in 2013, the Franklin Republican has made sexually suggestive comments, sent late-night texts and tried to arrange drinks with women working in and around Legislative Plaza. He frequently told them of marital difficulties and urged them to give him their personal contact information.
They call it a “pattern of conduct … that was sexual in nature and not related to business of the House.”
The women told investigators Durham’s status as a budding star in the Republican caucus meant they would have put themselves at risk if they refused his advances or complained to legislative leaders. One who did refuse him told investigators she came to work the next day to find rumors circulating that she’d gone home with Durham — something she emphatically denied.
Another woman took to calling Durham “Pants Candy” after he pulled a mint from his pocket in a suggestive manner during a meeting. She described it as “quite a production.” Another lobbyist described similar incidents.
Durham also drank alcohol in his office with a 20-year-old college student. Investigators say they then had sex.
In all, 22 women told investigators from the attorney general’s office they’d had “experiences” with Durham. Their names are being kept confidential.
The panel of lawmakers set up to oversee the inquiry says Durham’s conduct warrants expulsion. But under state law, he’d get that seat back if he wins re-election this fall.
So instead, they recommend continuing to keep Durham away from other lawmakers, staffers and lobbyists. The voters can decide whether that banishment should become permanent.
Durham faces a primary challenge next month as well as a general election challenger in November.
Tennessee Democratic Party Chair Mary Mancini criticizes the decision. She says lawmakers have known since at least last year that Durham was engaging in inappropriate behavior but have let the investigation, which began in February, drag on for months.
“This has gone on for way too long, and the Republican leadership has let it go on for way too long. Period. End of story.”
Now, Mancini says, lawmakers are trying to pass the buck to the electorate. She says the legislature should hold a special session to remove Durham formally.
But members of the panel argue expelling Durham now would have little point. It would only last until Election Day, and the Franklin Republican has already been relieved of most of his duties. He’s also been banished to an out-of-the-way office in another building.
House Speaker Beth Harwell bristles at the suggestion Durham is being let off.
“This may be one of the few times in his life that he has been held accountable.”
Harwell, R-Nashville, says that if Durham does somehow win re-election, she intends to continue to keep him isolated.
Durham declined to speak with investigators about the allegations. He was not in attendance at the Capitol when their findings were released.
Durham had attempted to stop the report from being made public, saying it would damage his re-election campaign. But a judge ruled Tuesday that the report could be released.
After the report’s release, Durham’s attorney, Bill Harbison, issued a statement.
He says the findings show the investigation was “politically motivated, unfair and unconstitutional.”
He also criticized the report’s conclusions as one-sided and based on the testimony of anonymous women.
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