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VIEWS ON GOV. LEE* “His vision for our state will extend our prosperity across the grand divisions and throughout our population. Bill Lee is the right governor at the right time. Together, we will take what is already very good and make it great. I look forward to working with him to keep Tennessee on the right track.” – Tennessee Senate Speaker Randy McNally, R-Oak Ridge.* “Gov. Lee’s going to be one of the great ones. No doubt in my mind.” – state House Speaker Glen Casada, R-Franklin.* “Great day. Start of a new era in Tennessee, a new governor, a new administration, lot of new members in the House. So I’m really excited. … I think we have the opportunity to do some really great stuff.” — state Senate Finance Chairman Bo Watson, R-Hixson.* “I appreciated the challenges that Gov. Lee laid out for the state. I think he’s right that we’re going to be judged that Tennesseans have access to health care, that we’re doing something meaningful on the opioid epidemic. And that we’re providing opportunity for everyone.” — State Senate Minority Leader Jeff Yarbro, D-Nashville.* “Congratulations Governor @BillLeeTN. We’re counting on you, and we’re proud of you.” — U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander, R—Tenn.* “Governor Lee has an inspiring vision for the Volunteer State and I look forward to working alongside him to improve the lives of Tennesseans. Congratulations @BillLeeTN!” —U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, R-Tenn.
NASHVILLE – Weaving his family’s own experience as pioneer settlers here into the tapestry of Tennessee history, Republican Bill Lee on Saturday took his oath of office as the state’s 50th governor, stressing self reliance, sacrifice, unity and faith in God to meet the challenges ahead.
“Our greatness has never come from what any one individual did,” the 59-year Williamson County businessman and political outsider told a packed crowd inside the 1,600-seat War Memorial Auditorium at the state Capitol.
Rather, Lee said, “our greatness has always come from the collective lives, service, commitment and sacrifice of those who came before us – because of what we have always done as a people together, in community with each other, in service to our state and to our neighbors.”
“As honored as I am to be your next governor, no governor will solve the problems – in fact, no government will solve the greatest problems that we face,” Lee said. “Government is not the answer to our challenges.”