Coinciding with Dr. Christine Blasey Ford's testimony in the mist of Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh's hearing, a Democratic lawmaker announced the start of a new effort aimed at ousting Tennessee lawmakers facing sexual misconduct allegation from office.

Rep. Sherry Jones, D-Nashville, announced the formation of Enough is Enough Tennessee, a political action committee seeking to scrutinize people running for or currently in public office who have been accused of sexual misconduct or assault.

"There is no reason for a person accused of sexual assault of children to hold an office in the state of Tennessee," said Jones, who is the PAC's treasurer, adding their first target is Rep. David Byrd, R-Waynesboro.

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In March, Byrd was the subject of a WSMV story that featured three women who accused the lawmaker of inappropriate sexual conduct decades ago while he was their high school basketball coach.

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

Byrd, who did not face a primary opponent and is set to face Democrat Frankie Floied in the Nov. 6 general election, previously said he would not resign.

A Republican spokesman said Byrd would not comment about the PAC's formation and call for his resignation. But a political action committee run by House Majority Leader Glen Casada published a new video on Facebook Thursday likening Byrd to President Donald Trump and Kavanaugh, saying they've been attacked by "unhinged liberals."

Byrd publicly denied any wrongdoing, despite the fact that he apologized to one of his alleged victims, Christi Rice, in a recorded phone call.

Rice said Thursday her decision to come forward, like Ford, has encouraged others.

"People have said....thank you for exposing the truth," she said. "It gives me courage to stand up here today."

In the wake of the allegations against Byrd, House Speaker Beth Harwell, R-Nashville, called for him to resign while other Republicans, including Gov. Bill Haslam and Casada said voters should ultimately decide his fate.

The PAC is hoping to force Byrd to resign or be ousted at the ballot box in the Nov. 6 general election and will send out mailers and go doorknocking in his district.

The PAC is a state chapter of a larger group that is seeking to raise money to campaign against candidates for state legislative offices and Congress who, among other issues, have faced allegations of misconduct.

Reach Joel Ebert at jebert@tennessean.com or 615-772-1681 and on Twitter @joelebert29.