A new candidate has entered the race for U.S. Representative from Tennessee’s 5th Congressional District.

Businessman Baxter Lee issued a statement announcing his candidacy.

William “Baxter” Lee, an eighth generation Tennessean announced his candidacy for the United States House of Representatives in the newly drawn 5th Congressional District. Lee says that his decision to become a candidate came after thoughtful and deliberate conversations with his family and friends. The husband and father of three said one of his main concerns is putting families first and getting back to the basics of what make America and Tennessee great.

“Tennessee has become a beacon of liberty across the country for people who are looking to relocate from states run by out-of-control government bureaucrats who believe in higher taxes, more mandates, and less freedom. I made the decision to run for Congress because we have the opportunity to take more of Tennessee’s conservative values and commonsense priorities to Washington, D.C.,” Lee said.

Lee’s statement also said that he intends to advocate for parents’ rights to make education and healthcare decisions for their children. He wants to end the abuse of authority by school boards during the COVID-19 pandemic and believes that Critical Race Theory has no place in our schools.

Lee’s website details more issues that are important to him and his candidacy.

Securing the border

Protecting our 2nd Amendment rights

Defending the unborn

Standing up to “The Squad” and their Radical Left allies

Opposing the oppressive and unconstitutional COVID-19 mandates

Restoring law and order

Firing Nancy Pelosi as Speaker

Lee filed FEC forms 1 and 2 on January 31, 2022. FEC Form 1 is the statement of organization for a candidate’s PAC. Lee’s PAC name, according to the form is Baxter Lee for Congress. It has a PO Box in Nashville associated with it. FEC Form 2 is the statement of candidacy.

Lee’s LinkedIn page says that he is currently a Savings Coach at Save Win Club, company he owns. The company website says, “Save Win Club uses a simple proven approach focusing on daily habits and better decision making to improve your life. Daily Habits are the best predictor of future success. SWC uses the daily email to help anchor your day around a 10 second habit that can help you conquer your day.”

Lee and Save Win Club received a cease and desist order from the State of Tennessee in 2020, ordering him and the entity to:

CEASE AND DESIST from any further conduct as broker-dealers, agents, investment advisers, and investment adviser representatives in or from Tennessee until such time as they are effectively registered with the Division to engage in such activity;

CEASE AND DESIST from activity, including but not limited to buying, selling, placing trades, or making determinations on what trades should, and are placed, in Save. Win LLC’s Fidelity account using Tennessee citizens’ or citizens of other states’ funds, until such time as the Respondents are registered with the Division to engage in such activity; and

CEASE AND DESIST from engaging in fraud and misrepresentation, and from using Save. Win LLC’s SunTrust bank account for expenses relating to Brilliant Sky Books.

After incumbent U.S. Representative Jim Cooper declined to run for re-election due to redistricting, TN-5 became an open seat.

Lee joins Robby Starbuck and Natisha Brooks in publicly running for TN-5. Former State Department spokesman Morgan Ortagus, who has not publicly announced plans, received national attention when President Trump made known his strong encouragement and offered an endorsement of her potential candidacy.

Several others are reportedly considering getting in the TN-5 race, including former Tennessee State House Speaker Beth Harwell, Maury County Mayor Andy Ogles, and former Tennessee National Guard Brigadier General Kurt Winstead. Candidates can begin collecting qualifying petitions on Monday.

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Aaron Gulbransen is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Baxter Lee” by Baxter Lee.