House Speaker Beth Harwell wants Rep. Ron Lollar to chair final meetings of the committee vacated by David Hawk, who was accused of domestic assault over the weekend.
Hawk announced late Tuesday he would step down from his leadership post as head of the Conservation and Environment Committee to concentrate on his legal defense.
“My dedication continues to be caring for my family and serving my constituents,” he said in an emailed statement. “Proving my innocence will take much of my focus, so I feel relinquishing my chairmanship will best serve these goals.”
Hawk was arrested Sunday after his wife told police he hit her while she was holding their 11-month old daughter. The representative contends he did not hit her. Instead, he says she pulled a gun on him while he held their baby, threatening to “put a bullet in my head.” His court date is set for May 21.
Because the committee plans to shut down for the year in two weeks, the speaker opted to not appoint an official replacement, according to Harwell’s spokeswoman. Lollar, the three-term Bartlett Republican, is currently committee’s vice chairman and will run the body’s final meetings.
