Governor's Office

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee appointed Rachele Gibson of Gibson County as the 28th judicial district public defender to succeed Tom W. Crider. “Rachele has passionately served the 28th district for years and is exceptionally qualified for this role,” said Gov. Lee. “We congratulate her on this promotion and look forward to working together.” Gibson has served as the assistant public defender from 2004-2008 and again from 2013-2019. Previously, she served as the assistant district attorney from 2008-2013. She is a graduate of the University of Tennessee at Martin and the Nashville School of Law. Gibson resides in Bradford, Tenn. with her husband and two children.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee released the following statement regarding death row inmate Don Johnson: “After a prayerful and deliberate consideration of Don Johnson‘s request for clemency, and after a thorough review of the case, I am upholding the sentence of the State of Tennessee and will not be intervening.”

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee marked the close of the 2019 legislative session, a session which included the unanimous passage of his budget as well as the passage of his full agenda as outlined during his State of the State address in March. “In March, I presented our budget and a series of priorities which I believe will be foundational to making Tennessee a leader in the nation,” said Lee. “Working with the General Assembly leadership and members, we passed reforms that will continue to build on the momentum our state has seen in recent years.” Gov. Lee’s slate of priorities included 16 legislative initiatives to work towards strengthening public education and school choice, enhancing workforce development, addressing criminal justice reform and public safety, promoting good government and developing solutions for rural Tennessee.