NASHVILLE, TN (WSMV) -
There's an unusual fight unfolding in Tennessee state politics as Gov. Bill Haslam is butting heads with his fellow Republicans.
In fact, some Republican Party leaders are asking for the governor to be punished as several counties have passed resolutions calling on the party's executive committee to sanction him.
According to a Stewart County GOP resolution obtained by The Tennessean, members are upset that Haslam has retained openly gay employees at the Department of Children's Services and allowed them to make policy decisions.
They also take issue with Haslam hiring a Muslim to a top position at the Department of Economic and Community Development.
Williamson County's Republican Party drafted a separate resolution that expresses disappointment in Haslam's decision not to sign a resolution calling the United Nations' green building recommendations an "insidious socialist plot."
Equal rights groups are calling these resolutions against Haslam ridiculous.
"They are based on hatred, fear and ignorance, of course. And they really get at the issue of what kind of workforce we want in the state of Tennessee. Do we want it to be based on qualifications, or do we want it to be based on prejudice?" said Chris Sanders, with the Tennessee Equality Project.
Haslam also had something to say about the resolutions Tuesday.
"My job as governor is to focus on bringing jobs to Tennessee, making sure we have a great education system and making certain we're providing great value. And that's kind of thinking I think most Tennesseans want me to focus on," Haslam said.
The governor also cited poll numbers that show him with an 80 percent approval rating by conservative Republicans. He said he'll take that number any day.
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