Hoover announced he was stepping down from his role as speaker last month after admitting he exchanged sexually-charged text messages with a staffer.
On WHAS radio’s Terry Meiners show, Bevin said it’s “highly unlikely” that Hoover would try to keep his leadership position when the General Assembly goes back into session.
“I don’t know why he would do that. He’s already stated that it’s his intent to stand down. You can’t officially resign until the House is in session, which will happen when they come back in again.”
According to the Associated Press, some representatives have been gauging support among House Republicans about keeping Hoover as speaker.
The Louisville Courier-Journal first published a report that Hoover and three other Republican lawmakers secretly settled a sexual harassment complaint with a staffer. Hoover admitted that he and the other lawmakers had signed the settlement for an undisclosed amount of money, but denied sexually harassing the woman.
Hoover is expected to officially step down on Jan. 2, at the start of a new legislative session.
House Speaker Pro Tem David Osborne has unofficially assumed duties of the speakership and Republican leaders say he will continue serving as “acting speaker” during the upcoming legislative session.
