Stepping into politics for the first time, Dr. Jason Martin looks to become the 51st Governor of the State of Tennessee.

But he realizes he is going up against some tall timber if he is the nominee for the Democratic Party in the Nov. 8 General Election – where he would face incumbent Gov. Bill Lee, a Republican.

Martin – a pulmonary and critical care physician at Sumner Regional Medical Center, is one of three Democrats vying for the nomination when the August 4 primary is held.

“After seeing hundreds and hundreds of patients die from COVID-19, and never really having the leadership I knew those folks needed from Gov. Lee, we could have done better for those folks, we could have done better for our school kids and we could have done better for our business owners,” Martin said, “That’s what got me into this race. I know it’s that same lack of leadership from Gov. Lee with respect to COVID that applies to other aspects from life in Tennessee, like fully funding our public schools, expanding Medicaid, updating our antiquated marijuana laws – that’s why I’m on the ballot this year.”

Martin made his comments during a campaign stop at Baker Bros. BBQ in Jackson.

“People tell me the odds (of a Democrat winning) are tough in Tennessee,” Martin said, “I don’t buy that. There are more people who are like-minded in this state – we’ve just got to get them out to vote. We are in the bottom 40 in the nation when it comes to registering eligible voters.”

Originally from Alabama, Martin attended Tulane University in New Orleans, and was accepted to medical school at the University of South Alabama in Mobile, which led him to residency and fellowship at Vanderbilt University.

Upon his last year as a resident, Dr. Martin was asked to remain one year and lead the residency program as the Chief Resident at the Nashville Veteran Affairs Medical Center.

Dr. Martin and wife Dr. Jennifer Martin have three children, daughters Lilly, Ansley, and Laney.

(PHOTO: Dr. Jason Martin)