Rep. David Byrd, accused of sexual assault, tells Republicans he will not seek reelection [View all]

After more than a year of being dogged with allegations of sexual assault, Rep. David Byrd told his House Republican colleagues Friday he would not seek reelection in 2020.

Byrd announced his decision during a closed-door caucus meeting less than an hour before the start of Friday's special legislative session.

A Tennessean reporter heard the discussion, which took place inside the legislative library.

Byrd, R-Waynesboro, is accused by three women of sexually assaulting them when they were teenagers in the 1980s while he was their teacher and basketball coach at Wayne County High School.

Read more: https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/politics/2019/08/23/rep-david-byrd-not-seek-reelection-after-sexual-assault-allegations/2094164001/