Stockard on the Stump: Tennessee governor defends Correction commissioner in failed executions

By: Sam Stockard

Outlets: Tennessee Lookout

Published: October 2, 2026

Words: 1,876

Last Updated: 2 weeks, 2 days ago

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Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee continues to give his top correction official a get-out-of-jail free card for botched executions.

Correction Commissioner Frank Strada got the job in January 2023 despite overseeing three problematic executions as a deputy commissioner in Arizona, then helped put together the protocol used in two botched executions in Tennessee, including this week’s failed lethal injection of Christa Pike.

Asked Thursday if he bears some responsibility for hiring and keeping …

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