Bill Lee: “We are at the doorstep of another crisis if we don't think about educator shortages.”

Carrying out a lawfully imposed sentence is among the State’s most serious responsibilities, and the people of Tennessee expect it to be done in a manner that is not only legal and constitutional, but is effective.

I hope that Tennessee governor Bill Lee’s decision to postpone the last execution scheduled for this year will give lawmakers time to consider the subject seriously.

The people of our state deserve to have those questions answered. And that’s what this investigation’s for.

I will seek an independent investigation and pause all executions for the rest of 2026.