Rep. Lee Reeves Appointed to House Republican Caucus Leadership

The House Republcian Caucus announced the appointment of Rep. Lee Reeves (R-Franklin) to one of six deputy whip positions on Friday.

“It’s an honor to be entrusted with this role by Rep. Garrett,” Reeves said in a press release. “I’m eager to work with caucus leadership to continue our efforts to advance conservative values.”

The District 65 representative is in his first term at the 114th Tennessee General Assembly and is Williamson County's newest elected state legislator. He holds the seat held by former Rep. Sam Whiston who did not seek reelection last year.

House Majority Whip Johnny Garrett (R-Goodlettsville) selected Reeves for the position.

“Fiscally conservative legislation remains a top priority for the Republican Caucus and Rep. Reeves will play a key role in strengthening our supermajority and advancing the priorities of Tennesseans,” Garrett said in the release.

Reeves was endorsed by Lee during the 2024 election and was the only pro-voucher candidate in the District 65 race. That pro-voucher stance saw a flood of out-of-state PAC money in support of Reeves and/or against Reeves’ primary opponents, namely Williamson County Commissioner Brian Beathard. Flipping the seat in that election to a Republican who supported the governor's education plans was key, as Whitson was previously a holdout among the state Republicans for the school choice legislation.

In addition to his new role as deputy whip, Reeves serves on the House Education Committee and the Finance, Ways and Means Committee as well as the K-12 Subcommittee and Finance, Ways and Means Subcommittee.

Garrett has also selected the five other new deputy whips: Reps. Renea Jones (R-Unicoi), Aron Maberry (R-Clarksville), Michele Reneau (R-Signal Mountain), Rick Scarbrough (R-Oak Ridge) and Tom Stinnett (R-Friendsville).