Tennessee Governor Bill Lee endorsed real estate investor and attorney Lee Reeves in the August 1 Republican primary election for Tennessee State House District 65 on Thursday.

House District 65 is currently represented by State Representative Sam Whitson (R-Franklin), who announced he would not be seeking reelection to the seat.

Reeves, who also serves as the current president of the Franklin Lions Club and the vice-chair of the Franklin Board of Zoning Appeals in addition to his real estate and law careers, is facing candidates Brian Beathard and Michelle Foreman in the August 1 primary.

“Lee Reeves is a principled man of character who will work in the General Assembly to champion limited government, individual liberty and school choice for Tennessee families,” the governor said in a statement. “I am honored to endorse Lee as Williamson County’s next conservative leader and look forward to working together to make life better for all Tennesseans.”

Lee’s endorsement of Reeves came one day after Reeves confirmed to The Tennessee Star’s CEO and Editor-in-Chief Michael Patrick Leahy that he would vote to advance the governor’s universal school choice plan during next year’s legislative session of the Tennessee General Assembly if he were to be elected.

Reeves acknowledged that the issue of school choice is “the most important issue in the entire State of Tennessee” going into next year’s legislative session.

“The answer is yes, I’m voting for the bill. I think it’s important that parents have the ability to choose where their children go to school. Listen, I think the state government should care that children get educated, not where they get educated. I think parents are best positioned to know what’s right for their child,” Reeves said on Wednesday’s edition of The Michael Patrick Leahy Show.

Reeves’ bid for House District 65 has also been endorsed by Americans for Prosperity Action (AFP Action).

“Reeves, a Williamson County resident, supports school choice, personal option health care reforms, and tax cuts. He is expected to be an active voice supporting reforms that push back against the administrative state, ensure job creation, reduce regulatory burdens, and lower tax rates. Additionally, he is passionate about education reform and poised to be a vital partner in efforts to expand educational opportunities,” AFP Action said.

– – –

Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Kaitlin on X / Twitter.
Photo “Lee Reeves and Bill Lee” by Lee Reeves.