CONCORD -- Hours after he was charged with formal ethics violations, state Rep. Gene Chandler said Monday he would not seek re-election as House speaker.
Chandler, a Bartlett Republican, was charged with failing to report nearly $64,000 in donations from lobbyists, businesses and others that he used for personal expenses. The vote of the legislative Ethics Committee was unanimous.
CHANDLER
Deputy Speaker Mike Whalley, R-Alton, read Chandler's announcement at a Statehouse news conference Monday afternoon, then said he would run for speaker when the House elects its officers Wednesday.
Whalley said the entire Republican leadership team, including Chandler, endorsed his candidacy.
http://theunionleader.com/articles_showa.html?article=47673
Why would this suprise anyone? I'm happy to read that all other republicans in the House supported his re-election. Ethics-smethics...