Tennessee lawmaker accused of sexual assault seeks re-election

Rep. David Byrd, accused last week by three adult women of sexually assaulting them when they were teenagers, won't resign and has instead announced his campaign for re-election.

Byrd, R-Waynesboro, told reporters his intentions to run again after his bill to arm certain teachers in Tennessee died in a House committee and a week after the WSMV report in which the women made the allegations.

“I’ve actually announced for re-election. I did that over the weekend on my Facebook page, and I had probably over 1,200 positive comments and shares and likes and when you get 1,200 comments on one Facebook post, you’ve got quite a bit of support," Byrd said.

► More: Rep. David Byrd: Not resigning, says House speaker turned her back on him

► More: Harwell calls for Rep. David Byrd to resign ahead of report alleging sexual misconduct

"My county and my supporters and my former basketball players, they’ve really surrounded me, overwhelmingly backing me and so I really appreciate that."

Still, Byrd said "no comment" when asked whether the allegations were true.

The allegations date back to when Byrd served as head coach of the Wayne County High School girls basketball team, the Lady Cats.

Two of the women were 15 and one was 16 at the time they say their then-28-year-old coach sexually assaulted them.

Following the report, House Speaker Beth Harwell called for Byrd's resignation, and Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, R-Oak Ridge, said he agreed with the House speaker and that Byrd should step down.

But Byrd responded by issuing a statement saying Harwell turned her back on him and that he would not resign.

In the statement, Byrd said that he'd done nothing wrong during his time as a lawmaker and questioned the motives of his accusers, but stopped short of denying the accusations.

House Majority Leader Glen Casada, R-Franklin, said he intended to follow up with Byrd.

Casada said he found the allegations shocking and out of character for the lawmaker, but that Byrd's statement did not answer questions he would ask the lawmaker, particularly a recorded telephone call where Byrd was heard apologizing to one of the women, according to the WSMV report.

On Wednesday, Casada, the House majority leader, issued a statement saying he will not join Harwell's call for Byrd's resignation.

“The David Byrd I know is not the David Byrd being described in these allegations," Casada said in a written statement. "However, they are serious claims and these women have a right to be heard. David Byrd also has that same right for his side of the story.

"I do not believe Representative Byrd should resign from his legislative seat and voters will have the opportunity to decide whether to send him back to the General Assembly in just a few short months.”

Byrd said a lot of players have been willing to back him up, including 66 former players who sent a letter to Casada on his behalf.

Reach Reporter Jordan Buie at 615-726-5970 or by email at jbuie@tennessean.com. Follow him on Twitter @jordanbuie.