Bill Lee Archives - The Virginia Star

Commentary: Bill Lee Attacks the Second Amendment with a Red Flag Proposal

April 29, 2023 Virginia Star Staff

Governor Bill Lee called on the Tennessee Legislature to pass a Red Flag law – one that he proposed – before the 2023 Legislative session ended. The Legislators did not consider his proposal but instead they wrapped up business – they thought – and adjourned until January 2024. Governor Lee, apparently thinking of himself as perhaps the “master” of the Legislature, has now stated that he will call a special session to force the Legislature to take up his call for a Red Flag law.

Governor Bill Lee ‘Heartbroken’ on Death of East Tennessee Soldier Killed in Afghanistan Terrorist Attack

August 29, 2021August 28, 2021 Chris Butler

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee commented Saturday evening on the death of Ryan Knauss, an East Tennessean who was one of the 13 American service members killed in a deadly terrorist attack in Kabul, Afghanistan last week “Maria and I are heartbroken and mourning the loss of U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Ryan Knauss, a Tennessean who was killed in the tragic terrorist attack on Kabul. On behalf of all Tennesseans, we offer our full support in the difficult days ahead,” Lee tweeted Saturday.

Bill Lee Campaign Team Grows Fundraising, Communications and Grassroots Operations

August 19, 2018August 18, 2018 Jason M. Reynolds

Tennessee Republican gubernatorial nominee Bill Lee on Friday announced four new hires to his campaign team. The hires are Laine Arnold, Julie Hannah, Kim Kaegi and Joseph Williams, according to a campaign press release. They will help the campaign expand communications, fundraising and grassroots operations for the General Election on…

Bill Lee Announces ‘Believe in Tennessee Tour’

August 16, 2018August 15, 2018 Jason M. Reynolds

Tennessee Republican gubernatorial nominee Bill Lee on Wednesday announced his 95 county General Election tour. The “Believe in Tennessee Tour” will bring Lee to talk to voters and highlight his policies and belief that he is the right leader to keep Tennessee going in the right direction, his campaign said…

Gravis Poll Says Lee Leading Dean by 11; Blackburn Over Bredesen by 4

August 15, 2018August 15, 2018 Steve Gill

Phil Bredesen, Marsha Blackburn, Bill Lee, Karl Dean

A new post-primary poll conducted by Gravis Marketing shows the Tennessee Republican candidates for Governor and Senate leading their Democratic Party opponents. The poll of likely November voters indicates that Bill Lee has an 11 point margin over Karl Dean, with 9% uncertain, in the Governor’s race. In the Senate…

Socialists Very Active in Tennessee Democrat Party Politics

August 15, 2018August 14, 2018 Chris Butler

Socialists in Tennessee apparently have even more influence over the Tennessee Democratic Party than previously believed, including at the state level. Julie Gautreau (pictured), who represents the Knoxville chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, said as much to The Tennessee Star Tuesday. “A lot of DSA members are members…

Bill Lee Embraces Gov. Haslam’s Legacy

August 9, 2018August 8, 2018 Julie Carr

On Tuesday’s Gill Report, broadcast live on WETR 92.3 FM in Knoxville, conservative pundit and Tennessee Star Political Editor Steve Gill contemplated the contradiction of Bill Haslam’s endorsement of Bill Lee – whose base was turned off by Randy Boyd’s campaign because of his ties to Haslam. “As the campaign…

Governor Bill Haslam Wades Into Governor’s Race with Endorsement for Republican Bill Lee

August 8, 2018August 7, 2018 Admin

Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam, current Chairman of the Republican Governor’s Association (RGA), is working to ensure that while he works to keep or expand the number of Republican Governors across the country he doesn’t drop the ball in his home state. He’s endorsed Republican nominee Bill Lee in a new…

Yes, Negative Ads Worked in Tennesee GOP Gubernatorial Primary!

August 6, 2018August 5, 2018 Star News Staff

In the wake of the Tennessee Republican primary for Governor, won by Bill Lee in a late surge where he garnered 37 percent of the vote versus 24 percent for Randy Boyd, 23 percent for Diane Black and 15 percent for Beth Harwell, some analysts have claimed the results show that negative ads do not work. Actually, the final margins seem to prove that negative ads work quite well.

Bill Lee Wants to Reduce Student Testing, While Karl Dean Thinks Current Levels Are Just Fine

August 5, 2018August 4, 2018 Jason M. Reynolds

The battle lines over common sense in public education have been drawn in the gubernatorial battle between Republican Bill Lee and Democrat Karl Dean, and Round One goes to Bill Lee. Lee, the outsider business executive, wants to reduce the current level of student testing while Dean, the former Mayor…

Enthusiastic Crowd at Tennessee GOP Unity Rally

August 5, 2018August 5, 2018 Star News Staff

A large and enthusiastic crowd greeted Republican gubernatorial nominee Bill Lee at the Tennessee GOP unity rally at the Musicians Hall of Fame in Nashville Saturday afternoon.

GOP Unity Rally in Nashville Today

August 4, 2018August 4, 2018 Star News Staff

The winners and the losers in Thursday’s Republican primaries are gathering for a unity rally in Nashville today.

Thumbs Up: Florida Candidate for Governor, DeSantis Ad Displays Him as More Likable, Less Political

August 2, 2018August 2, 2018 Julie Carr

During Tuesday’s broadcast of The Gill Report – live on WETR 92.3 FM in Knoxville – conservative political commentator and Tennessee Star Political Editor Steve Gill praised Florida Governor Candidate Ron DeSantis for his current ad appealing to the public in a more human than political way. DeSantis’s wife narrates…

GOP Gubernatorial Candidates Plan Election Night Parties as Bitter Battle Comes Down to Final Day

August 2, 2018August 2, 2018 Jason M. Reynolds

Bill Lee, Diane Black, Beth Harwell, Randy Boyd

As The Tennessee Star reported Wednesday, the gubernatorial candidates have engaged in a venue-filled, final days sprint across the state to rally votes for today’s primary. Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. Candidate schedules, in no particular order, are: Beth Harwell Beth Harwell announced she will…

Lee and Black: The Battle of the Veterans TV Spots

August 1, 2018July 31, 2018 Admin

The controversy over Bill Lee’s company firing an Iraqi war vet has moved from the mailbox to the tv screens. First, the Lee campaign put up a video of retired Colonel Thomas B. Vaughn defending Lee from claims that the termination of a Iraqi war veteran by the Lee Company…

Republican Gubernatorial Candidates Hold Final Get Out the Vote Rallies

August 1, 2018July 31, 2018 Jason M. Reynolds

The Republican gubernatorial candidates are making whirlwind, last-minute tours of the state in the closing days of the primary election to get out the votes. Randy Boyd said in a press release, “Too much is at stake and too many people are depending on us. On Primary night, we will…

Johnson City Press Endorses Republican Bill Lee, Democrat Craig Fitzhugh in Tennessee Gubernatorial Primaries

July 30, 2018July 29, 2018 Jason M. Reynolds

The Johnson City Press endorsed Republican Bill Lee and Democrat Craig Fitzhugh in the Tennessee gubernatorial primaries. A Sunday editorial said, “After sitting down with all six viable contenders to succeed Haslam in both parties, our team was most impressed with Republican Bill Lee and Democrat Craig Fitzhugh.” The editorial…

Bill Lee Targets Memphis in Final Push for August 2 Win

July 30, 2018July 29, 2018 Admin

As the bitterly contested Republican primary for Governor comes to an end, Bill Lee is targeting Memphis in a late push for votes in West Tennessee. Lee has surged in the past two weeks and the few public polls show him with either a slight lead or in a dead…

Letter to the Editor: When Bold Men Are Called to Lead – Tennessee’s Gubernatorial Race

July 29, 2018July 28, 2018 Admin

Dear Tennessee Star, Mr. Mark West expressed his opposition to Bill Lee for Governor in The Tennessee Star several days back. West began with the Old Testament story of a brief conversation between Deborah and Barak. This is a story I’ve not known scholars to hold up as a turning…

Lee Company Sends a Cease and Desist Letter to Diane Black’s Gubernatorial Campaign

July 28, 2018July 27, 2018 Jason M. Reynolds

The Lee Company sent a cease-and-desist letter to the gubernatorial campaign of Rep. Diane Black (R-TN-06) on Friday, calling for the removal of information alleging the company wrongfully fired a veteran who once worked there, The Tennessee Journal’s On the Hill reported. GOP gubernatorial candidate Bill Lee is the owner…

Mark West Commentary: When Men are Unwilling to Lead – Tennessee’s Gubernatorial Race

July 27, 2018July 27, 2018 Admin

by Mark West There is a story in the Old Testament (Judges 4), where we read about two leaders in Israel, Deborah and Barak. The people of Israel were facing a serious threat from an oppressive enemy, King Jabin and the Commander of his army, Sisera. God had told…

Things That Make You Go Hmm: Independent Polling Firm Puts Lee in the Lead While Tied to Campaign Consultants

July 26, 2018July 25, 2018 Julie Carr

On Tuesday’s Gill Report, broadcast live on WETR 92.3 FM in Knoxville, conservative pundit and Tennessee Star Political Editor Steve Gill baffled at a recent independent poll that stated Bill Lee was leading Tennessee’s GOP primary race. The question remains to be answered of whether or not Lee knew the…

Bill Lee Agrees With Gov. Haslam That Transgender Bathroom Issue Does Not Need Leadership From the State

July 26, 2018July 26, 2018 Chris Alto

Governor Haslam and Bill Lee propose the same approach to the use of school bathrooms and locker rooms by students whose choice of gender and anatomy may not match. Both Haslam and Lee have said that this issue does not require leadership from the state but instead, should be problem-solved…

Candidate Endorsed by President Trump Wins Georgia GOP Gubernatorial Primary Runoff in a Landslide

July 25, 2018July 25, 2018 Star News Staff

The candidate President Trump endorsed last week won the Georgia Republican gubernatorial primary runoff last night in a landslide.

Norm Partin Commentary: Bill Lee for Governor

July 25, 2018July 24, 2018 Admin

by Norm Partin Are you the person that says to yourself, “If I were Governor, this is what I would do…”? Do you tend to vote AGAINST people instead of FOR someone? Are you constantly disappointed by politically influenced legislation on both national and state levels? Are you “that…

OFF THE RECORD: Randy Boyd Skips Knoxville Debate . . . For ‘Pricey Steakhouse Dinner’?

July 24, 2018July 24, 2018 Jason M. Reynolds

Randy Boyd set off a chain reaction when he cancelled Sunday night’s GOP gubernatorial candidate primary debate in Knoxville. Now, one reporter says the cancellation was due to a “pricey steakhouse dinner,” as first reported at TNJ: On the Hill. Boyd had cited an unspecified scheduling conflict as his reason…

Dr. J. Lee Douglas Commentary: Can We Conservatives Be Smarter This Governor’s Race and Unite in Support of Diane Black?

July 24, 2018July 23, 2018 Star News Staff

When it was obvious in 2010 that we had influenced our first big election, do you recall feeling powerful, that we could shake things up? Then within another year, disgusted and disheartened because our victorious candidates seldom represented our wishes? They did it to us again, didn’t they? No. Here’s how we did it to ourselves.

New Poll That Shows Bill Lee Leading in Governor’s Race Has Direct Ties to Bill Lee Consultants

July 24, 2018July 24, 2018 Star News Staff

The blockbuster poll released on Monday that shows Williamson County businessman Bill Lee leading the Republican gubernatorial primary for the first time was conducted by a firm that has ties to consultants to the Lee campaign, new documents reveal. When Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill Lee announced his candidacy in April,…

Bill Lee Holds Town Hall in Knoxville After Final GOP Debate There is Cancelled

July 23, 2018July 23, 2018 Star News Staff

Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill Lee held a town hall in Knoxville on Sunday night, the city and date on which a debate between all four GOP gubernatorial candidates was scheduled to be held.

New Poll Shows Bill Lee Leads GOP Gubernatorial Primary

July 23, 2018July 23, 2018 Star News Staff

A new poll released by JMC Analytics and Polling on Monday morning shows that Bill Lee now leads the Republican gubernatorial primary. The poll of 500 registered Republican voters conducted between July 18 and July 21 puts Lee in first place with 26 percent, followed by Randy Boyd in second…

Bill Lee and Diane Black Featured Speakers at Williamson County GOP BBQ

July 22, 2018July 21, 2018 Star News Staff

Gubernatorial candidates Bill Lee and Rep. Diane Black (R-TN-06), along with Congressional candidate Mark Green (R-Clarksville), were the featured speakers at the annual Williamson County GOP Barbecue on Saturday.

Billboard Claims Bill Lee Afraid to Take a Stand: ‘I’m Not Advocating For or Against a Transgender Bathroom Bill’

July 20, 2018July 20, 2018 Star News Staff

A new billboard appearing at several strategic locations in Middle Tennessee and East Tennessee claims that Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill Lee is “afraid to take a stand” on the issue of transgender bathrooms.

Jeff Hartline Commentary: Why I Support Bill Lee for Governor of Tennesse

July 20, 2018July 19, 2018 Star News Staff

Jeff Hartline explains why he has eliminated three politicians and chosen to support Bill Lee for Governor of Tennessee.

Dr. Carol M. Swain Commentary: Why I Am Not Supporting Bill Lee for Tennessee Governor

July 19, 2018July 25, 2018 Admin

My decision to choose Black over Lee has caused considerable angst among Lee supporters who are demanding an explanation. Focusing solely on Lee, I will outline the factors I considered while I was formulating my decision.

Randy Boyd Attacks Bill Lee in New Ad

July 19, 2018July 19, 2018 Star News Staff

In a surprise move, GOP gubernatorial candidate Randy Boyd launched an ad attacking Republican rival Bill Lee on Tuesday.

Steve Gill: GOP Gubernatorial Primary Debate Cancellation May Be Due To Perceived Lack of Effectiveness

July 18, 2018July 17, 2018 Jason M. Reynolds

A top political analyst says he is not surprised that three of the candidates running in the Tennessee Republican gubernatorial primary dropped out of the last statewide televised debate scheduled for this weekend in Knoxville. The cancellation comes after Randy Boyd, Beth Harwell and Diane Black dropped out, WKRN said. “My…

State Governments Move to ‘Off-Load’ Public Responsibilities to Faith-Based and Community Initiatives

July 17, 2018July 16, 2018 Chris Alto

State governments partnering with faith-based and community organizations to maximize the use of resources is not a new concept. In some states, public-private partnerships have been expanded across most government departments, a model GOP gubernatorial candidate Bill Lee proposes to follow for Tennessee. With President Trump’s intention to trim federal…

Former Congressman Zach Wamp Endorses Bill Lee For Governor

July 17, 2018July 17, 2018 Jason M. Reynolds

Former U.S. Congressman Zach Wamp endorsed Bill Lee for governor on Monday, the Lee campaign announced. The endorsement from Congressman Wamp, a Chattanooga Republican, comes after last week’s endorsement from the conservative Free Press editorial page at The Chattanooga Times Free Press. “It is an honor to have the support of…

Diane Black Wins Davidson County GOP Straw Poll For Governor

July 16, 2018July 25, 2018 Jason M. Reynolds

Gubernatorial candidate Diane Black won a straw poll at the Davidson County Republican Party picnic Saturday, a blog reported. U.S. Rep. Black (R-TN) received 116 votes in the governor’s primary straw poll, according to a blog called “A Disgruntled Republican in Nashville.” Rod Williams is the author. Second place went…

Conservative Chattanooga Editorial Page Endorses Bill Lee in Republican Gubernatorial Primary

July 14, 2018July 14, 2018 Jason M. Reynolds

The conservative Free Press editorial page of The Chattanooga Times Free Press endorsed Bill Lee in the Republican gubernatorial race on Friday, the first day of early voting. Clint Cooper, the Free Press page editor, said Tennessee Republicans have an “embarrassment of riches” in their primary, with four of six…

Bill Lee’s Contributions to Bredesen and Barry the Focus of New Billboards in Middle Tennessee

July 11, 2018July 11, 2018 Admin

Diane Black is hitting Bill Lee hard for his financial support for Democrats like Phil Bredesen, Megan Barry and Karl Dean. A new Black ad, “Burn”, specifically targets Lee for his donations to Democrats Phil Bredesen and Megan Barry. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7iy1LF_MXs&feature=youtu.be Diane Black “BURN” ad: You know the old saying, fool…

Gubernatorial Candidate Bill Lee Introduces Legislative ‘Contract with Tennesseans’ He Calls ‘Ten for Tenn’

July 5, 2018July 4, 2018 Admin

Drawing on his experience in business, Republican candidate for governor Bill Lee announced his “contract with Tennesseeans” called Ten for Tenn that highlights the key items Lee plans to focus on and enact as the Volunteer State’s 50th governor. “As a CEO, it is important to set the vision for my…

Black Campaign Hits Lee in a Pair of New Attack Ads

July 5, 2018July 4, 2018 Admin

In yet another indication that the Republican Primary for Governor has tightened, with a surge by Bill Lee in Middle Tennessee threatening Diane Black in her own 6th Congressional District, the Black campaign has begun airing two new attack ads targeting Lee in the last 24 hours. Black aired an…

Former State Representative Joe Carr Endorses Bill Lee for Governor

July 4, 2018July 3, 2018 Admin

Republican gubernatorial hopeful Bill Lee chalked up another endorsement Tuesday; this time, from conservative former State Representative Joe Carr. “I sat down with Bill, looked him in the eye and asked him the tough questions about the Rights of the Unborn, the Second Amendment, a smaller more efficient state government,…

OFF THE RECORD: Update on Who Else Wasn’t Paying Attention to What Steve Dickerson, ‘The Different Kind of Republican,’ Was Doing in the State Senate

July 4, 2018July 4, 2018 Chris Alto

So GOP gubernatorial candidate Bill Lee wasn’t the only GOP gubernatorial candidate throwing his money at “the different kind of Republican,” State Senator Steve Dickerson (R-Nashville), to help him get elected again in 2016. Lee only gave Dickerson $1,000 in 2016, which, as it turns out, was significantly less than either of…

OFF THE RECORD: Bill Lee Donated to Lowest Conservative-Rated Republican in State Legislature

July 3, 2018July 3, 2018 Chris Alto

Can you guess who it is? Admittedly it’s tough because pretty much any Republican in Tennessee running for the state legislature claims they’re a conservative and there are plenty who forgot what they told voters once they’re elected. Even Bill Haslam claimed he was a conservative when he was campaigning.…

Bill Lee Reports Campaign War Chest at $3.5 Million

July 3, 2018July 2, 2018 Admin

Franklin-area business man and gubernatorial candidate Bill Lee reported Monday that as of the close of this fiscal reporting period, his campaign has over $3.5 million cash-on-hand. The campaign noted that amount includes receipts of over $400,000 in the second quarter of the year. “Momentum is building for Bill Lee…

Bill Lee Donated $164,000 to Federal and State Candidates, 99.3 Percent Went to Republicans

July 2, 2018July 2, 2018 Star News Staff

Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill Lee donated $164,540 to candidates for federal and state offices during the 19 year period beginning in 1999 and ending in 2017, according to records provided to The Tennessee Star by the Lee campaign. Of that amount, 99.27 percent, or $163,340, went to Republican candidates, while…