Thursday nights gubernatorial debate at University of Tennessee at Martin, which saw the attendance of three candidates for the Democratic nomination for governor and four candidates for the Congressional District 8 seat, was rife with a unified passion for change and equal amounts of disagreement on how to achieve such change.
The two debates were the third of their kind in a series of debates presented in partnership with the University of Tennessee System and the USA TODAY Network.
Attending for the Democratic nomination for governor were Dr. Carnita Atwater of Memphis, Dr. Jason Martin of Nashville and Councilman JB Smiley of Memphis.
Topics ranged from the state of education rates within Tennessee, to Blue Oval City Development and gun safety, particularly in the face of recent mass shootings such as the Uvalde, Texas shooting.
In a question that seemed to resonate heavily with the gathered crowd of college students, candidates were asked about the crisis of falling collegiate education rates in the state. Each candidate agreed that a heavier emphasis needs to be placed on trade skills, though their answer for traditional higher education accessibility varied.
Martin, who specifically mentions the burden of student loans on his campaign website, advocated for financially affordable for options for students.
People are often discouraged against higher education because they dont want to be saddled with student loans, he said. We need to make sure were running a lean and efficient cost-effective system for students in Tennessee.
Smiley disagreed that it was a crisis, explaining that the traditional path is not right for everyone.
I think we do ourselves a disservice when we say that every person is going to go to college, Smiley said. We need to invest in (trade) programs…. If folks do decide to purse high education, we need to make sure those programs are affordable and attainable.
Atwater refuted Smileys statement of the lack of crisis, and placed heavier emphasis on the involvement of youth in education.
I think we do have a crisis in higher education, she said. I think if higher education went to middle schools and started a program…I think we could recruit people at an early age. I also think universities should have partnerships with trade schools.
Candidates also expressed strong opposition to Governor Bill Lees continued support of the Education Savings Account voucher program, which gives families in Shelby and Davidson County taxpayer-funded vouchers to attend private schools.
I am 150% for public schools, Atwater said. I would not support them. I find it ironic that Gov. Lee would support school vouchers when he did not release$730 million for Tennessee Assistance for Needy Families funding. I think thats hypocritical.
More: Report: Tennessee has $730 million in unused block grant funds for poor working families
Martin stated firmly that the voucher programs were weapons against public schools, and that they needed to be off the books.
Lee has waged war against public education his entire term in office, Martin said. Whether it's working to politicize school boards, firing teachers for teaching American history as it happened, or going after librarians and not speaking out against the burning of textbooks, this program is just another weapon hes using to defund and weaken our public school system and we need to stand up against it.
Smiley agreed.
This administration has been hell-bent on destroying funds for public education, he said. Theyre attempting to make private school with public funding. Thats not how are funds are supposed to be spent.
Candidates expressed careful support for the Blue Oval City development, which will see the creation of the highly-anticipated Ford electric vehicle plant in Stanton.
More: Jackson Chamber talks initiatives, excitement for Blue Oval City changes
Im all for economic development, but not on the backs of the taxpayers, Atwater said. I think we need to considerbefore any corporation comes to our citiesI think we need to have a community engagement agreement so people will have some type of benefit when they come to their community. I do not believe that we should give tax incentives to large corporations without accountability.
Martin stated his support for the plan, expressing appreciation for the stipulations of the deal.
I fully support whats going on in Blue Oval City and the development in West Tennessee, he said. It will be so transformative for the region and Im really glad that the General Assembly was able to build some claw-backs into the agreementessentially, if they dont meet their end of the deal, they dont get those incentives and the money comes back to the taxpayers of Tennessee.
Smiley took a different route, stating his support but also his hesitance in the face of the recent legal issues surrounding the town of Mason.
I think economic development in relation to Blue Oval City is amazing, he said. However, I want to acknowledge the fact that there is a city not too far from here that was in the direct path of Blue Oval City called Mason, Tennessee. And for some reason, our state government attempted to take their charter. It wasnt because they were illegitimately handling their financesit was because our state wanted to keep their foot on the necks of marginalized communities.
That type of leadership should not be tolerated. Everyone should be up in arms when our state comes to small communities and (takes control). Were all for economic development, but we dont want to overly insensitive larger corporations to come to our town. We want to give equal incentives to our small communities so they can scale up.
More: State comptroller to take over Town of Mason's finances, citing decades of mismanagement
When asked about the recent executive order signed by Gov. Lee to strengthen accountability and transparency around existing school safety, candidates decried the lack of reasonable action in light of the recent riseand long-standing issueof mass shooting violence.
More: Gov. Bill Lee signs executive order on school safety, but quiet on gun control
I think for Gov. Lee to not address the gun control of Tennessee is a blatant oversight, Martin said. "I think we need to make sure that yesschools have access to School Resource Officers. Yes, we need to examine our entrance points to make sure that is as controlled as it can be, but we also need to talk about the fact Gov. Lee is wrong about guns in Tennessee.
Martin went on to explain that Lees passage of permit-less carry was a blatant disregard of advice from state officials and an oversight.
Permit-less carry gave a decades-long practice of having a background check and a basic level of safety training away from having a permit, he said. If someone is around you with a concealed weapon, dont you want to know that theyve had a background check and a decent level of training?
Smiley disagreed that the law was an oversight, and called it an intentional omission.
(Lee) spent the whole time talking about how he was going to make schools safe, but he did not acknowledge the fact that there are funs out there, there are people out there with ill intent to come in our schools to make them unsafe for a lot of people, Smiley said, stating his support for the immediate return of background checks and an outright ban on assault rifles.
They have no place in civilized society. They are killing weapons and we need to get rid of them….We have to call it outwe cannot ignore guns.
Atwater advocated for a comprehensive crime prevention plan, to address gun safety.
I see where the governor is coming from, but I think its a little too late, she said. We need to stop playing games and get to the meat of the matter.
Candidates concluded their discussion with closing statements.
Smiley expressed his appreciation for the number of young people in the room.
Im so eager, so happy to see all of you here, he said. Im just like youI saw a need in my community and want to use my skills and everything I have to do something about it...the same passion I put into my current work in Memphis, I will bring forward to the state of Tennessee.
Martin placed emphasis on the need for the people of Tennessee to come together.
Im new to politics….but the biggest lesson Ive taken away from this process is that there is so much more bringing us together than that which divides us. We all want good healthcare, good schools for our kids, a good job, a chance to have a productive future. Thats what were fighting for….no matter who you are, Tennessee should be the land of opportunity for us all.
Atwater reiterated her boots on the ground stance to change in her campaign.
I want to take my spirit of humanity into the capitol, she said. I want to address poverty, economic disparities, healthcare disparities, homelessnesswhich is very close to my heartand I want to be a unique governor. I have a proven record of being a servant of the people.
Early voting begins on July 15th, with the primary election on August 4th.
Voter registration is due by July 5th. Registration can be done online at ovr.govote.tn.gov.
Have a story to tell? Reach Angele Latham by email at alatham@gannett.com, by phone at 731-343-5212, or followher on Twitter at @angele_latham.
More here:
- Intentional Community and Capitalism - Shareable - April 10th, 2024 [April 10th, 2024]
- How alternative communities have evolved from pacifist communes to a solution to the ageing population - The Conversation - March 12th, 2024 [March 12th, 2024]
- Georgia Power Announced T. Dallas Smith named to Georgia ... - All On Georgia - November 18th, 2023 [November 18th, 2023]
- CSRWire - Thought Leaders Gather for Critical Community ... - CSRwire.com - November 18th, 2023 [November 18th, 2023]
- EPA centers diversity with first-ever environmental youth advisory council - Yahoo News - November 18th, 2023 [November 18th, 2023]
- Rigor, Relevance, & Reality: Education Collaboratory at Yale ... - Yale School of Medicine - November 18th, 2023 [November 18th, 2023]
- Gaza: UN experts call on international community to prevent ... - ReliefWeb - November 18th, 2023 [November 18th, 2023]
- Fathering Together Announces Acquisition of City Dads Group - PR Web - November 18th, 2023 [November 18th, 2023]
- Company to pay over $50 million in largest environmental lawsuit settlement in D.C. history: Health risks to the public - Yahoo News - November 18th, 2023 [November 18th, 2023]
- Student death is now part of the routine at Middlebury - The Middlebury Campus - November 18th, 2023 [November 18th, 2023]
- We welcomed an abandoned dog into our family. But dog dumping ... - Kansas Reflector - November 18th, 2023 [November 18th, 2023]
- The National Climate Assessment Goes Woke - Dallasweekly - November 18th, 2023 [November 18th, 2023]
- A Conversation about History, Race and the Meaning of True ... - Philanthropy Roundtable - November 18th, 2023 [November 18th, 2023]
- The color of community | WORLD - WORLD News Group - November 18th, 2023 [November 18th, 2023]
- Kindness has good benefits | News, Sports, Jobs - The Review - November 18th, 2023 [November 18th, 2023]
- Georgia Power Foundation awards grant for BIG Edge ... - Georgia Southern University Newsroom - November 18th, 2023 [November 18th, 2023]
- "Chilling": Maryland lawmakers threaten to cut aid to immigrants ... - Salon - November 18th, 2023 [November 18th, 2023]
- Three water options come with high cost | News, Sports, Jobs - Evening Observer - November 18th, 2023 [November 18th, 2023]
- Welcome to the Team, Kintan! | Office of Immigrant Affairs - Philadelphia Water Department - July 11th, 2023 [July 11th, 2023]
- Fannie Mae Recognized for Its DEI Efforts - DSNews.com - July 11th, 2023 [July 11th, 2023]
- Fannie Mae Named 'Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion' and ... - Fannie Mae - July 11th, 2023 [July 11th, 2023]
- Focused on progress - Weekly Challenger - July 11th, 2023 [July 11th, 2023]
- Good Ancestors and Messengers of Hope - Digital Journal - July 11th, 2023 [July 11th, 2023]
- 'Make it intentional': 3-N-1 Trinity Services helps young ... - Longview News-Journal - July 11th, 2023 [July 11th, 2023]
- 'Latinistas' is the World's First All-Latina Fashion Doll Line - hiplatina.com - July 11th, 2023 [July 11th, 2023]
- CSU Releases Findings of Three-Year Research Study on NAVA'S ... - InvestorsObserver - July 11th, 2023 [July 11th, 2023]
- Press Ganey's Physician of the Year on a cardiology 'game changer ... - Becker's Hospital Review - July 11th, 2023 [July 11th, 2023]
- City Officials Join Summer Campers and Local Artists to Kick Off ... - Philadelphia Water Department - July 11th, 2023 [July 11th, 2023]
- Merrill and Linda Hutchinson on Communication for a Summer of ... - Digital Journal - July 11th, 2023 [July 11th, 2023]
- Feathers installed as Rotary District Governor | News, Sports, Jobs - The Inter-Mountain - July 11th, 2023 [July 11th, 2023]
- Theatre at St. Luke's: All Shook Up to The Little Mermaid - Orlando Sentinel - July 11th, 2023 [July 11th, 2023]
- Culture wars rage on, forcing marketers to decide whether to ... - Marketing Dive - July 11th, 2023 [July 11th, 2023]
- Some thoughts on governance of the local variety - Resilience - July 6th, 2023 [July 6th, 2023]
- 988 is saving lives, but more awareness and support needed - Alton Telegraph - July 6th, 2023 [July 6th, 2023]
- The Limitations of Eco-Anxiety | Atmos - Atmos Magazine - July 6th, 2023 [July 6th, 2023]
- Welcome Back: How JAPER Becomes Real for the People in Brazil ... - Just Security - July 6th, 2023 [July 6th, 2023]
- Now Is the Time to Go All In on Heat Pumps - Rocky Mountain Institute - July 6th, 2023 [July 6th, 2023]
- Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) celebrates 40th ... - Elizabethton.com - July 6th, 2023 [July 6th, 2023]
- Discrimination or bureaucracy? A Jewish community in Germany ... - The Jerusalem Post - July 6th, 2023 [July 6th, 2023]
- AAP Rules And Guidelines For How To Keep Kids Safe From Cars - Fatherly - July 6th, 2023 [July 6th, 2023]
- Pine County Sheriff's Report and Jail Roster | Communities ... - Pine City Pioneer - July 6th, 2023 [July 6th, 2023]
- Is a Hanan Ben Ari concert the solution for Jewish divisions? - opinion - The Jerusalem Post - July 6th, 2023 [July 6th, 2023]
- What the LGBT wedding website Supreme Court ruling means for ... - The Atlanta Journal Constitution - July 6th, 2023 [July 6th, 2023]
- Out at CHM hosts its first 2023 event - Windy City Times - July 6th, 2023 [July 6th, 2023]
- 'The time is now': Longtime friends launch support organization for ... - The Lawrence Times - July 6th, 2023 [July 6th, 2023]
- La Vergne Receives Municipal League Award for Excellence in Fire ... - rutherfordsource.com - July 6th, 2023 [July 6th, 2023]
- UW System offers status update on its five-year strategic plan (day 1 ... - University of Wisconsin System - July 6th, 2023 [July 6th, 2023]
- Hawaii Native Krystal Ka'ai Tackles Equity And Anti-Asian Hate For ... - Honolulu Civil Beat - July 6th, 2023 [July 6th, 2023]
- News & events / News - Diocese of York - July 6th, 2023 [July 6th, 2023]
- Businesses that address social or environmental problems often ... - The Conversation - July 6th, 2023 [July 6th, 2023]
- EFOC: Is This Happening To Me Because I'm Black? Combating ... - Essence - July 6th, 2023 [July 6th, 2023]
- Stations Telling Diverse Stories With Sponsored Segments from ... - Next TV - July 6th, 2023 [July 6th, 2023]
- Ex-Prisoners Face Headwinds as Job Seekers, Even as Openings ... - The New York Times - July 6th, 2023 [July 6th, 2023]
- Bungie weighs in on the current argument raging through the ... - PC Gamer - July 6th, 2023 [July 6th, 2023]
- Myanmar: Dire humanitarian and human rights situation ... - OHCHR - June 30th, 2023 [June 30th, 2023]
- Invest in our public schools - EdNC - June 30th, 2023 [June 30th, 2023]
- N.Y. stands up for LGBTQ equality: Having Pride 12 months a year - New York Daily News - June 30th, 2023 [June 30th, 2023]
- NASCAR, Bubba Wallace bring 'Bubba's Block Party' to Chicago - Daytona Times - June 30th, 2023 [June 30th, 2023]
- Fifth Third's 2022 Sustainability Report Shares Progress on Priorities ... - InvestorsObserver - June 30th, 2023 [June 30th, 2023]
- Top LGBTQ+ Financial Influencers to Learn from in 2023 - Investopedia - June 30th, 2023 [June 30th, 2023]
- 'Retirement is so traditional,' try periodic retirement to figure out ... - Morningstar - June 30th, 2023 [June 30th, 2023]
- Crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous people brings federal ... - New Mexico In Depth - June 30th, 2023 [June 30th, 2023]
- The Astounding Power of Intentional Productivity (And How You Can ... - The Good Men Project - June 30th, 2023 [June 30th, 2023]
- What SCOTUS ruling on affirmative action means for UL schools - Louisiana Radio Network - June 30th, 2023 [June 30th, 2023]
- Community managers find the path for developers and players to ... - VentureBeat - June 30th, 2023 [June 30th, 2023]
- The EPA was ready to clean up 'Cancer Alley.' Then it backed off. - Grist - June 30th, 2023 [June 30th, 2023]
- What Bidenomics Means for Workers and Families - UpNorthNews - June 30th, 2023 [June 30th, 2023]
- The vital link between a healthy press and our republic - The Fulcrum - June 30th, 2023 [June 30th, 2023]
- Death, Drag, and Decadence shows off the queer joy of DnD - Wargamer - June 30th, 2023 [June 30th, 2023]
- Israeli Expats in the U.S.: 'I Speak English, but I Don't Speak American' - Tablet Magazine - June 30th, 2023 [June 30th, 2023]
- NTSB hearings end with talks on tanker conditions, fire's aftermath - Marietta Times - June 30th, 2023 [June 30th, 2023]
- Can 'Friendship Clubs' Cure the Loneliness Created by Remote Work? - The San Francisco Standard - June 4th, 2023 [June 4th, 2023]
- 'Men in Blazers' Podcast Comes to Higher Ground to Talk Vermont ... - Seven Days - June 4th, 2023 [June 4th, 2023]
- Mindfulness, breathwork expert preaches value of slow living to Black and brown communities - Yahoo News - June 4th, 2023 [June 4th, 2023]
- Idaho's physician shortage is here. Here's what we can do about it. - Idaho Capital Sun - June 4th, 2023 [June 4th, 2023]
- Awards Ceremony Shines Spotlight on Caltech's Trailblazers in ... - Caltech - June 4th, 2023 [June 4th, 2023]
- The African American Museum of Iowa Announces Juneteenth ... - River Cities Reader - June 4th, 2023 [June 4th, 2023]
- US Supreme Court Rules Against Striking Drivers Who Abandoned ... - Engineering News-Record - June 4th, 2023 [June 4th, 2023]
- The Future of the Thomaston Green is Green (or should be) - PenBayPilot.com - June 4th, 2023 [June 4th, 2023]
- The Elephant in the Ethernet Port - City Journal - June 4th, 2023 [June 4th, 2023]