School Voucher Advocate is Largest Single Donor in Tennessee Gov's Race

Jeff Yass gives $1 million to PAC backing Marsha Blackburn

Photo by Logan Voss on Unsplash

Thanks to Bill Lee’s leadership, Tennessee has gone from 44th in the nation in school funding when he became governor in 2018 to 51st - dead last - as Lee is on his way out this year.

Bill Lee's School Funding Formula Leads Tennessee to the Bottom in School Funding

In addition to leading Tennessee to the bottom - $1.9 billion below Mississippi - in school funding, Lee has also led the way to a $300 million private school voucher scheme.

Lee was helped in his voucher quest by the School Freedom Fund and its top donor, Pennsylvania billionaire Jeff Yass. Yass’s group spent more than $4 million to support pro-voucher GOP legislative candidates - winning key primaries and delivering the votes to get Lee’s voucher scheme across the finish line.

Now, Yass is taking sides in the race to replace Lee. Yass is the largest single contributor in the gubernatorial race, giving $1 million to a political action committee (PAC) supporting Marsha Blackburn, according to Tennessee Lookout.

Yass is known for his investment in TikTok’s parent company and for being a major financial supporter of President Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign.

He’s now the largest single contributor in Tennessee’s gubernatorial election after donating $1 million to Team Tennessee, a PAC that is backing U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn’s bid for the top job.

Blackburn is a vocal advocate for private school vouchers.