Bill Lee has been declared Tennessee’s Governor-Elect.
This victory makes him the state’s 50th governor.
“I give you my word that I will be the governor of every Tennessean,” Lee told his supporters Tuesday night during his victory speech. “It is a tremendous, humbling honor to become your next governor of the state of Tennessee. But I promise you that I will wake up every day thinking about how I can lead in a way that makes life better for every Tennessean.”
Governor candidate Democrat Karl Dean conceded the race Tuesday night.
“I want to thank Karl Dean for a hard-fought campaign,” Lee said in his victory speech. “We need more public discourse right now than less, and I appreciate his service.”
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ABC News projected around 8 p.m. EST Tuesday that Tennessee Governor candidate Bill Lee was projected to win the governor’s race.
Lee is a Middle Tennessee businessman whose strategy stood out in the primary by avoiding negativea campaigning seen from his then-fellow contenders.
The Tennessee Governor’s race has been friendly but fierce leading up to Election Day as both candidates Karl Dean and Bill Lee campaign for that office in this year’s midterm election.
The Bill Lee watch party at The Factory in Franklin, Tenn. was under way as voters head to the polls on Election Day.
Karl Dean’s camp is located in Nashville. Coverage for that event will come in from our sister station later tonight.
Election Day polls close at 8 p.m. EST tonight.
WATE 6 On Your Side will bring you the results and more campaign coverage throughout Tuesday.