The Up and Down polical career of Cade Cothren has hit another low

NASHVILLE, Tennessee (WDEF) – The rollercoaster ride of Cade Cothren’s career his hit another dip.

Cothren was a powerful political broker for Republicans just a few years ago.

He was the chief of staff for the Speaker of the House, Glen Casada.

Cothren was the speaker’s hatchet man which meant fellow lawmakers feared him.

But then investigators accused him and Casada of orchestrating a scheme to create a company to print material for House Republicans, where they concealed their own involvement.

Both Cothren and Casada were convicted of money laundering and fraud.

Signal Mountain lawmaker Robin Smith turned state’s witness and testified against them.

She also got jail time in the case.

Then last fall, President Trump pardoned both men, meaning Smith faced more jail time than either of them served (She eventually had her sentence reduced).

This year, Cothren began his political comeback by announced his run for the Tennessee House.

But this week, that comeback was derailed.

The Tennessee Republican party has kicked him off of the August primary ballot.

He will have a chance to appeal his removal.