Gov. Bill Lee ‘hopeful’ after Republican National Convention, emphasizes support for Sen. Jon Lundberg

CHURCH HILL, Tenn. (WJHL) — On the heels of his speech at the Republican National Convention, Gov. Bill Lee visited Cardinal Glass in Hawkins County on Friday.

Lee told News Channel 11 that the attempt on former president Donald Trump’s life changed the tone of the event, but that he was still optimistic about the country’s future.

“What I witnessed was a hopefulness,” Lee said. “A hopefulness not only for the direction of our country, but a hopefulness for the dialog and the way in which we agree to disagree, disagree better, a way to move forward in a way that is not so toxic and so divisive.”

Lee said witnessing the nomination process and visiting early voting locations across the state this week pushed his focus toward encouraging Tennesseans to vote.

“This is how democracy works, and we should be engaged in that if we care about the future of our county, our state,” Lee said. “What I came away from is this is not about politics as much as it is about America.”

State Sen. Jon Lundberg (R-Bristol) joined Lee on his visit, and the governor re-emphasized his support for the senator in his race against Trump-endorsed Bobby Harshbarger .

“Sen. Lundberg has been incredibly an incredibly powerful senator for his district,” Lee said. “That’s why I’m standing with him today, that’s why we’ve been touring.”

News Channel 11 asked Lee whether his endorsement put him in conflict with Trump.

“I just know how important it is to have the right person in the seat,” Lee responded. “In the same way that President Trump is most concerned about what happens in Congress. I’m most concerned about what happens in Tennessee.”

Early voting is currently underway and runs through July 27.

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