Embattled Rep. David Byrd confirms he isn't seeking reelection

Ahead of Tuesday's start of the Tennessee General Assembly, embattled Rep. David Byrd confirmed he would not seek reelection.

After a morning House Republican caucus meeting, Byrd, who has faced allegations of sexual assault dating back to the 1980s, explained his decision to The Tennessean, saying, "At this point I'm still not running."

Byrd first announced his decision in an August closed-door GOP caucus meeting. After the meeting, however, Byrd largely remained silent, leading some to speculate that he had changed his mind.

"The decision was made in August," he said. "The decision is still the same."

Byrd, R-Waynesboro, was a longtime physical education, health and biology teacher at Wayne County High School, where he also coached the girls basketball team for 24 years. He went on to become the school's principal for eight years before retiring.

In a story published in March 2018 by Nashville television station WSMV, three women accused Byrd of sexually assaulting them while they were 15 and 16 years old. Since then, Byrd has faced calls to resign from Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, R-Oak Ridge, and former House Speaker Beth Harwell, R-Nashville.

​He faced calls for his resignation — and for the House to expel him — throughout the 2019 legislative session, prompting a group of women to come to the Capitol each week in protest. The women were affiliated with Enough is Enough Tennessee, a political action committee and grassroots group that sought Byrd's ouster from the legislature.

Byrd said that each day since he has received encouragement from people in his district to reconsider his decision.

Explaining the decision, Byrd said it was in part because he informed the GOP caucus about his intentions.

"I'd hate to go back on my word," he said.

Byrd threatens to change his mind is protests continue

Although Byrd left little wiggle room regarding his decision, he threatened to change his mind if protesters push too much.

Discussing the protesters who are planning to be in Nashville as lawmakers return Tuesday, Byrd said he would not be intimidated by their presence.

"That may have a negative impact on them," he said. "If I get harassed and bullied, then I'll definitely rethink my position about running.

Noting the results of the 2018 election, when he received 78% of the vote against a Democrat, Byrd cited his work ethic and accessibility as reasons he's helped his district. "They like what I've done the last five years," he said.

Although he will not run for reelection, Byrd clarified that he would not resign before the election. "That's never entered my mind," he said. "And I will never do that."

Last year, Byrd was largely a distraction for the GOP caucus, generating concern among members. Throughout the session, lawmakers, including Byrd, faced protesters, including a group of women who attended committee meetings.

While Gov. Bill Lee tried to avoid making public statements about the situation, Lee in March met with one of Byrd's accusers, Christi Rice, to hear her story. He said afterward that he believed Rice's account.

Lee privately urged Byrd not to seek reelection, and House Republican Caucus Chairman Jeremy Faison, R-Cosby, said this month that he would not assist Byrd in an reelection efforts.

Byrd has never publicly denied the allegations. Upon initial news stories coming out, he released a statement questioning the motivation of his accusers and assisting he had done nothing wrong during his time in office, however.

Asked whether his decision had anything to do with facing near constant protests and calls for his resignation, Byrd said, "To me that's ridiculous what they're doing."

He called the protests political, noting other lawmakers have faced criminal charges while he hasn't.

"Mine are 35 year old allegations with no charges, no paper trail, nothing," he said.

He called it a "bunch of crap" that protesters were standing up for victims.

"If they were, then they would be protesting the other members that has actually been charged for stuff," he said, without referencing specific lawmakers.

Expulsion effort halted by speaker after AG opinion

In an opinion released in December, Tennessee Attorney General Herbert Slatery said expelling a lawmaker for conduct that took place before entering office is inadvisable but also not prohibited.

The opinion came in response to a request from House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, on whether lawmakers could expel Byrd from office over decades-old sexual assault allegations.

While Rep. Gloria Johnson, D-Knoxville, attempted to make a motion to expel Byrd during an August special session, Republicans in the House blocked the effort, citing the pending opinion from Slatery.

Upon Slatery releasing his opinion, Sexton announced the House would not move forward with attempting to expel Byrd.

Rep. Michael Curcio, R-Dickson, had likewise during the special session promised to host a hearing about the allegations in the House judiciary committee he chairs, though he later said he would only do so at Sexton’s direction.

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Reach Joel Ebert at jebert@tennessean.com or 615-772-1681 and on Twitter @joelebert29. Reach Natalie Allison at nallison@tennessean.com. Follow her on Twitter @natalie_allison.