Reporter
Sam Stockard is a Nashville-based reporter with more than 30 years of journalism experience as a writer, editor and columnist covering the state Legislature and Tennessee politics for The Daily Memphian.
There are 1058 articles by Sam Stockard :
Democratic state Rep. John DeBerry of Memphis is not contradicting a move by the Tennessee Black Caucus calling for House Speaker Glen Casada's resignation. But along with Republican state Reps. Kevin Vaughan and Jim Coley, he's not ready to say Casada should step down.
Gov. Bill Lee announced Tuesday evening he will not stop the execution of death row inmate Donnie Johnson, who is set to be put to death Thursday.
The state of Tennessee executed Donnie Johnson of Memphis Thursday, 35 years after he murdered his wife, Connie, by stuffing a 30-gallon garbage bag down her throat.
NASHVILLE –The House Republican Caucus chairman said Friday the House Ethics Committee needs to be revamped amid a lawmaker’s claims Speaker Glen Casada tried to rig an advisory opinion to exonerate himself in advance of a meeting on his speakership. The meeting is to be held at Museum Hotel in Nashville on Monday.
Gov. Bill Lee says the House Republican Caucus' no-confidence vote in House Speaker Glen Casada sends a "clear message" and he's ready to call a special session if Casada doesn't resign.
NASHVILLE – Glen Casada announced Tuesday he will resign from his position as Speaker. The move comes a day after an overwhelming vote by the House Republican Caucus started an avalanche of demands for him to step down.
East Tennessee state Rep. Jeremy Faison is predicting House Speaker Glen Casada will leave the House when he resigns his speakership. But Casada said Wednesday he will "retain his seat."
An East Tennessee lawmaker seeking the House Speaker’s post pushed legislative “kill lists” on committee chairmen – emanating from the Speaker’s Office – in an attempt to control which bills passed and failed in the 2019 session.
House Republican Caucus members deciding the fate of embattled Speaker Glen Casada Monday will have to overlook the financial backing he gave them in recent years.
Tennessee Democrats, led by state Rep. Joe Towns of Memphis, sent a letter to Gov. Bill Lee Friday asking him not to sign his voucher bill until the FBI finishes investigating potential improper favors for votes. But Lee said he signed the measure Friday morning.
Gov. Bill Lee expects House Speaker Glen Casada to honor his plan to step down and won’t call for a special session unless lawmakers seek one.
This Memorial Day carries a special meaning for LaQuita Darnell, a year after her daughter died in a National Guard training accident.
A funky chicken, a creepy penguin and a half-naked bear-woman stood sentinel outside the meeting room at 21C Museum Hotel, where House Republicans debated the fate of House Speaker Glen Casada.
The Department of Justice reportedly talked to state lawmakers about alleged “straw donations” into state Sen. Brian Kelsey’s 2016 congressional campaign.
Bartlett Republican Jim Coley will not seek another two-year term in 2020 after a recent diagnosis with early stages of dementia.
Rep. Joe Towns believes the governor should rescind the signing of his voucher bill into law and have it heard again by the Legislature.
A man termed by some lawmakers as a “hall monitor” for House Speaker Glen Casada is out of a job at the state Legislature.
House Minority Leader Karen Camper is balking at a Republican proposal to seek a June special session for replacing resigning Speaker Glen Casada while the governor waits for a legislative request.
Memphis’ attorney says the city made a strong case in the central argument of a legal battle between Mississippi and Memphis over water rights to the Memphis Sand Aquifer: whether the aquifer is an interstate resource.
Amid reports federal agents are questioning state lawmakers, a group that filed a complaint about Sen. Brian Kelsey’s 2016 congressional finances is renewing its request for a complete investigation.
Dr. Manny Sethi is the first Tennessee Republican to enter the U.S. Senate election, beating potential establishment candidates to the punch in the race to replace Sen. Lamar Alexander.
Republican Rep. Tom Leatherwood is declining to say how he voted on a no-confidence resolution for House Speaker Glen Casada, but noted Monday he is “comfortable” with the outcome.
House Speaker Glen Casada released a letter saying he will step down on Aug. 2 and asked the governor to call a special session, as Democrats and some Republicans urged him to resign immediately on Tuesday.
Supporters of legalizing medical cannabis in Tennessee believe the legislation stalled in the General Assembly this year mainly because of Speaker Glen Casada’s decision to appoint an opponent of the measure as chairman of a Health subcommittee.
Shelby County House Republicans say Speaker Glen Casada is wearing out his welcome with an Aug. 2 resignation date, with two contending he should step down immediately as caucus leaders push for an earlier time frame for a special session to replace him.