Governor Bill Lee endorsed incumbent Matthew Hill for the state House of Representatives’ 7th District of the eastern portion of Washington County, according to an announcement by the House Republican Caucus.
Hill, who has been a member of the Tennessee House since first elected in 2004, is being challenged by Rebecca Keefauver Alexander in the August 6 Republican primary.
“Matthew Hill is a champion for life, Second Amendment rights and keeping taxes low. Matthew puts the interests of Washington County families first, and has always been a friend to Tennessee farmers, like me,” Lee said.
Hill is considered to be strongly pro-life, having been the House sponsor of one of the state’s strongest pro-life legislation with the Tennessee Infants Protection Act in 2017, which banned the abortion of a viable fetus after 20 weeks of pregnancy. He was also a co-sponsor of the Heartbeat Bill that passed the House in 2019.
The representatives also played an instrumental role in passing Lee’s Education Savings Accounts (ESA) Pilot Program in 2019.
When the House and Senate couldn’t agree on the details of the ESA Program, five members of each chamber met in a Joint Conference Committee, with Hill being one of the House members. Once the Committee agreed on the details, the ESA Program went on to be passed by both the House and Senate.
Under Speaker Glen Casada (R-Franklin) in 2019, Hill served as Deputy Speaker for one legislative session. He then ran to replace Casada, after Casada stepped down following a vote of no confidence by Republican House members.
Recognized for his parliamentary prowess, Hill chairs the House Select Committee on Rules as well as the Finance, Ways and Means Appropriations Subcommittee.
Lee said of Hill’s representation of the 7th House District, “Washington County can count on Matthew. This election, please vote for my friend, Matthew Hill.”
Hill welcomed Lee’s endorsement, saying, “I am grateful and honored to have Governor Lee’s support as I renew my pledge to continue fighting for the people of the 7th House District.”
“Governor Lee’s dedication to his faith and public service to Tennesseans makes his vote of confidence special to me. I am blessed to have his support and prayers. I look forward to continuing to work together, building a brighter future for all Tennesseans,” he added.
Hill has received strong support from around the state and in Washington County, according to the state House Republican Caucus. In addition to the endorsement by Lee, Hill has been endorsed by the National Federation of Independent Business, National Rifle Association, Tennessee State Employee Association and Johnson City Firefighters Association Local 1791.
The winner between Hill and Rebecca Keefauver Alexander in the Republican primary will go unchallenged in the November general election, as no Democrats are pursuing the seat.
Early voting for the August 6 Republican primary runs from July 17 through August 1.
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Laura Baigert is a senior reporter at The Tennessee Star.
I am not sure that an endorsement by Lee is a good thing in light of his recent track record regard the Chinese virus and The Nathan Bedford Forrest bust.
Lee sounds more and more like the Cooper brothers.