Lee says he didn’t authorize mailer for Rep. David Byrd

Republican gubernatorial candidate appears in a state GOP mailer supporting controversial Rep. David Byrd of Waynesboro. Only problem is that Lee says he didn’t authorize it.

Lee was asked about the mailer in Williamson County on Tuesday, and said he did not know whether the photo was taken before or after sexual misconduct allegations were made public about Byrd. Two women said Byrd touched them inappropriately when he was their 28-year-old basketball coach, and a third said he tried to.

“I haven’t seen that picture, so I don’t know, and we didn’t authorize the use of that,” Lee said.

House Speaker Beth Harwell (R-Nashville) and Senate Speaker Randy McNally (R-Oak Ridge) called for Byrd’s resignation, but he is seeking re-election this year.

Byrd has not specifically denied any of the allegations since they were first broadcast by WSMV-TV in March, but has said he apologizes if he hurt or upset any of his students. The House Republican Caucus has denounced various allegations against the lawmakers as “a politically motivated attack on Rep. Byrd’s family stemming from allegations dating back over thirty years ago.”

A group called the Enough is Enough PAC spent more than $87,000 on advertising targeting Byrd in his re-election bid in October.