Well-known Nashville businessman and conservative stalwart Lee Beaman endorsed Rep. Diane Black (R-TN-06) for Governor on Monday.
“There is only one true conservative in the race and her name is Diane Black,” Beaman said in a statement.
“Diane will fight to protect and defend out Tennessee values. She will be an advocate for Tennessee businesses of all sizes, and she will always fight for families and the unborn. With Diane leading the way, we can become the most business friendly state in the nation while keeping our values intact,” he concluded.
Rep. Black responded, “I am delighted to have Lee on my team;” adding:
Lee is a man guided by his conservative beliefs who has worked hard for every success. From standing against the AMP and Metro Transit Plan, when he gets behind something, everyone better move out of the way. He is a stalwart fighter for the conservative cause who never waivers in his conviction.
“Nobody in Tennessee has been a more consistent and dependable donor, leader and advocate for conservative causes,” Tennessee Star Political Editor Steve Gill said.
“From personally dropping off cases of bottled water to protesters at Legislative Plaza to providing funds for countless conservative candidates at the local, state and national level to being willing to stand up and speak out when others hide in the shadows, Lee Beaman has been there every time he’s been called to action. His endorsement does and should cause conservatives to pay attention,” Gill added.
With primary election day two days away, polls show Black in a very close and contentious three-way race for the Republican nomination for governor with Knoxville’s Randy Boyd and Franklin’s Bill Lee – both, like Beaman, successful businessmen. Tennessee Speaker of the House Beth Harwell (R-Nashville) is the fourth candidate in the race.
“The early voting period for the August 2 Primary and Local General Elections ended Saturday with voter turnout continuing on a record pace across the state,” as The Tennessee Star reported on Sunday.
All four campaigns are spending the last few days of the race packing as many campaign appearances across the state into their schedules as possible.
