FRANKLIN, Tenn. – Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee says he knows nothing about allegations then-Republican House Speaker Glen Casada suggested to a Democratic lawmaker he could be promoted to a top Tennessee National Guard post by switching his no vote to yes on the governor’s controversial school voucher bill.
“I don’t know anything about that,” Lee, a Republican, told reporters Thursday. The governor said in response to another question that “I was not” a part of any such discussions.
WTVF reported last month that Rep. John Mark Windle, D-Livingston, already a National Guard colonel, confirmed to the Nashville station that Casada suggested to him he could get promoted to general if he voted for the bill. Windle did not change his no vote.
At the time, April 23, the bill was deadlocked 49-49 on the House floor, sending Casada and aides desperately scrambling for more than 40 minutes to find the 50th vote required to pass any bill on the floor.
State Rep. and Speaker of the Tennessee House Glen Casada speaks during the Hamilton County Republican Party’s annual Lincoln Day Dinner at the Westin Hotel on Friday, April 26, 2019 in Chattanooga, Tenn.The measure eventually passed 50-49 when a Knoxville Republican switched his vote.