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Tags: tennessee | governor | bill lee | gop

Tennessee GOP Primary Heats Up With Attack Ads

Tennessee GOP Primary Heats Up With Attack Ads
Businessman Bill Lee participates in a gubernatorial candidate forum on health care on Jan. 19 in Nashville. (AP/Mark Humphrey)

Wednesday, 11 July 2018 12:44 PM EDT

Bill Lee has released an ad criticizing what he calls dishonest attack ads in Tennessee's GOP gubernatorial primary, saying he's "not going down that road."

With early voting approaching Friday, Lee's ad argues the attacks aren't what a leader does and show some candidates will say and do anything to get elected.

Congresswoman Diane Black's ads highlight Lee's donations to former Nashville Mayor Megan Barry and Democratic ex-Gov. Phil Bredesen.

Lee also donated to Bredesen's Republican opponent that election. Lee's campaign deemed the donations "business decisions" for his company.

The ads include vague claims about Barry, sanctuary cities and gun control. Barry helped defeat Nashville's 2017 sanctuary city-like push.

Black has attacked businessman Randy Boyd in ads, with Boyd attacking back.

Beth Harwell, Tennessee's House speaker, has largely been spared.

© Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


Politics
Bill Lee has released an ad criticizing what he calls dishonest attack ads in Tennessee's GOP gubernatorial primary, saying he's "not going down that road."
tennessee, governor, bill lee, gop
130
2018-44-11
Wednesday, 11 July 2018 12:44 PM
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