Tennessee House Majority Leader Gerald McCormick, R-Chattanooga, says running for Chattanooga mayor was not part of his calculation when he decided not to seek reappointment to the leadership post. And though he is running unopposed for his House seat, he says he has been surprised by the number of people who have suggested he consider challenging the sitting Democratic mayor. His initial response to questions from the Times Free Press was no, but then he said, “I don’t want to close out the door completely.”

State Rep. Billy Spivey, R-Lewisburg, is calling for an investigation into allegations that House Clerk Joe McCord mentally and emotionally abused a Legislative Plaza employee. In a letter sent to the Tennessean yesterday, Spivey said McCord raised his middle finger at the staff member’s two-year-old granddaughter and called the employee vulgar names. Harwell responded by blasting Spivey and suggesting the move may be motivated by his displeasure with how Jeremy Durham’s case was handled. “It is disrespectful for him to attempt to play political football with our state employees and their jobs, all because he personally disagreed with Jeremy Durham's expulsion,” she said.

State Rep. Kevin Brooks of Cleveland tells Nashville Post Politics that he is running to chair the House Republican Caucus, anticipating the current chair, Rep. Glen Casada of Franklin, will vacate the seat to run for House majority leader. “I think Glen and I will be a great team, should leadership allow us to serve together,” Brooks said. “He recruited me to run for office in 2006, and it's a great feeling to think about serving with him now, together.” Brooks is the first House member to declare for the post.

State Rep. Jimmy Matlock, R-Lenoir City, who last month announced a challenge to House Speaker Beth Harwell for leadership of the chamber, has sent out a “Covenant with the Caucus” to House Republicans. In an email Matlock said the document “addresses the guiding principles that have inspired me to seek the office of Speaker.” The one-page document does not offer specifics about Matlock’s legislative priorities, but instead lays out his commitment for how he would run the House. The Nashville Post has more on the story.

Tennessee state Rep. Mike Carter, R-Ooltewah, says he is considering whether to seek the House majority leader position, the Times Free Press reports. Carter, an attorney and former county General Sessions Court judge, said he has been surprised by encouragement from constituents to seek the post. “While my priority between now and Nov. 8 will be helping fellow members win re-election, I’ve decided to listen to supporters and prayerfully consider running for Majority Leader,” he said. Rep. Sheila Butt, R-Columbia, has already announced she is running. Three others reportedly are considering a run: Assistant Majority Leader Kevin Brooks, R-Cleveland; Republican Caucus Chairman Glenn Casada, R-Franklin; and Health Committee Chairman Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville.

The National Highway Traffic Administration has confirmed that Tennessee is back in compliance with federal standards for drunken drivers under the legal drinking age, the Associated Press reports. A hastily-called special legislation session last week fixed a law that federal officials said would cost the state $60 million in federal road money. Humphrey on the Hill has the story.

The Knox County Commission will not appoint someone to fill the remainder of former state Rep. Joe Armstrong’s term, Knoxnews reports. Putting someone in office for a few weeks does not seem to be worth the effort required, according to several commissioners who discussed the issue during a work session this week. The county Democratic Party has already nominated Rick Staples to run. He faces Independent candidate Pete Drew on the Nov. 8 ballot. In addition, Rhonda Gallman has launched a grassroots and online campaign as a write-in candidate for the seat.

Tennessee House Majority Leader Gerald McCormick, R-Chattanooga, will not seek re-election to his post of House majority leader, a position he has held since 2011, the Times Free Press reports. McCormick told fellow GOP caucus members in a letter that he is "incredibly proud of the work" of the House. Leadership elections will likely occur in late November or early December, and Rep. Shelia Butt today became the first lawmaker to officially throw her name in the race. Republican Caucus Chair Glen Casada, R-Franklin, and Rep. Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, are also said to be considering a run, the Tennessean reports.

If the Nashville and Memphis city councils move ahead with plans to modify marijuana laws, state Rep. William Lamberth, R-Cottontown, says he may try to withhold state highway funding from those areas. The Tennessean reports that Lamberth, chair of the House Criminal Justice Committee, is considering legislation to deny funds from cities that do not enforce criminal penalties as outlined in state law.

Jeremy Durham told News Channel 5 he most likely will sue the state over his expulsion. Appearing a day after lawmakers voted to expel him from the Tennessee House of Representatives, Durham said he was denied due process, and that lawmakers broke their own rules. He also said there is a culture of misbehavior on Capitol Hill, from daily happy hours to smoking marijuana.