A relentless campaigner, Bill Lee, the Republican nominee for governor of Tennessee, has scheduled stops in each of the 95 counties in 95 days in the state – and Wednesday – he rolled into Jackson at the West Tennessee Farmers’ Market.

“We’re coming to Madison County today as part of our ‘Believe in Tennessee Tour,” Lee said. “… sharing our vision and heart for the belief that Tennessee can lead the nation with the right leadership, and to talk about those things that matter to every Tennessean.”

Things such as education –

“Every single kid in the state of Tennessee should have access to an education where they can thrive,” Lee said. “We’ve made a lot of progress in a lot of ways, but we have a lot of work to do in education.”

Jobs –

“We’re in rural Tennessee, and what happens in rural Tennessee matters to every Tennessean” Lee said. “This is a rural state with some big cities, and a lot of cites are doing quite well, but a lot of our rural communities are struggling.”

Crime –

“I was involved in the life of a man coming out of prison, and I committed to spend one morning a week with him every week,” Lee said. “That relationship really opened my eyes to the power of a re-entry program.

“Ninety-five percent of everyone sitting in a prison or jail in this state will come out, and they will come out into our communities.

“Fifty percent will commit a crime in the first two years, and go right back to prison.”

Agriculture –

“There are 67,000 farmers in the state – 13 percent of our workforce,” Lee said. “Agriculture is an important part of who we’ve been, and a part of who we should be in the future.”

Lee, a farmer and businessman related his business acumen to his run for governor, where he drove a tractor 758 miles from Mountain City to Memphis, before the August 2 Republican Primary.

“I like to narrow things down, and say what really matters,” Lee said. “People want a good job, a good education for their kids and a safe neighborhood.”

Lee will face Democratic opponent Karl Dean in the Nov. 6 general election.

(PHOTO: Bill Lee)
David Thomas, Twitter – @DavidThomasWNWS
https://www.facebook.com/NewsTalk1015/