Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill Lee has raised $1.3 million for his campaign at his first major fundraiser.
The Franklin businessman held the Tuesday evening event at a barn owned by Christian music star Michael W. Smith.
Lee's haul is just above the $1.25 million that fellow GOP candidate Randy Boyd collected at his first fundraiser in April.
It isn't the first foray into Tennessee politics for Smith. He was also a prominent supporter of former U.S. Rep. Zach Wamp's unsuccessful bid for the Republican nomination for governor in 2010.
The Lee campaign also announced it is adding Anna McDonald, a former finance director for the state Republican Party, as its chief fundraiser.
Lee embarked on a 95-day RV tour of all 95 Tennessee counties after launching his bid in April.
