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Joining Other Republicans, Gov. Lee Says He’s Not Ready To Recognize Biden As President-Elect

President Donald Trump, Gov. Bill Lee and first lady Maria Lee surveyed tornado damage in Tennessee in March. Talking to reporters Monday, Lee said he won't be ready to recognize former Vice President Joe Biden as president-elect until legal challenges have been resolved.
TN Photo Service (File photo)
President Donald Trump, Gov. Bill Lee and first lady Maria Lee surveyed tornado damage in Tennessee in March. Talking to reporters Monday, Lee said he won't be ready to recognize former Vice President Joe Biden as president-elect until legal challenges have been resolved.

 

President Donald Trump, Gov. Bill Lee and first lady Maria Lee surveyed tornado damage in Tennessee in March. Talking to reporters Monday, Lee said he won't be ready to recognize former Vice President Joe Biden as president-elect until legal challenges have been resolved.
Credit TN Photo Service (File photo)
President Donald Trump, Gov. Bill Lee and first lady Maria Lee surveyed tornado damage in Tennessee in March. Talking to reporters Monday, Lee said he won't be ready to recognize former Vice President Joe Biden as president-elect until legal challenges have been resolved.

Like many other Republicans across the country, Gov. Bill Lee is not recognizing Joe Biden as the president-elect. At least for now.

Talking to reporters Monday, Lee said there are some processes that have not concluded, like recounts in some states and legal challenges.

 

“Legally cast ballots are being counted and confirmed and that’s what’s happening. We need for that process to happen,” Lee said. “When there is any concern about that process not legally being appropriated, then it’s being challenged, and we see that to the end.”

Lee was also asked whether he believes there was widespread voter fraud, something that President Trump has said without evidence.

“I think there’s a process that would determine if that’s the case, and that’s the reason that we have to make sure the process is seen to the end,” Lee said.

When asked if he’d collaborate with the administration of President-elect Biden, Lee said he will work with the federal government regardless of who occupies the highest office.

Lee is not the only elected official that has yet to recognize Biden as the next president.

Tennessee Sen. Marsha Blackburn and Senator-elect Bill Hagerty have both posted on Twitter they have donated to Trump’s legal fund to challenge mail-in voting and other election controversies.

Copyright 2020 WKNO

Sergio Martínez-Beltrán is Nashville Public Radio’s political reporter. Prior to moving to Nashville, Sergio covered education for the Standard-Examiner newspaper in Ogden, Utah. He is a Puerto Rico native and his work has also appeared on NPR station WKAR, San Antonio Express-News, Inter News Service, GFR Media and WMIZ 1270 AM.