Former Gov. Ned McWherter is campaigning in East Tennessee for his son, Mike. In discussing the challenges the state is facing right now, he emphasized the need for job creation, specifying rural areas across the state.
The main issue, the father said, is creating and maintaining jobs – specifically small businesses in rural communities.
“I think my son recognizes that,” McWherter said. “That’s what he’s talking about. It’s a challenge now to get jobs back in these communities.”As part of his jobs initiative, Mike McWherter has launched a “Mike Works!” tour, in which he visits blue-collar employers across the state and works for half a day or so. So far, he has visited such establishments as Sandrell Heating and Air in Colombia and Precision Woodworking in Murfreesboro.
“It is a good opportunity for him to understand the men and women of the state,” the elder McWherter said. “You really do learn how men and women work when you’re out there participating with them and see how hard [their job] is.”
“I’ve been here nearly 80 years,” said McWherter, whose birthday is in October. “And I’ve never seen the times as difficult as they are.”
Over the next few days, he will campaign for his son in Greeneville, Erwin, Carter County, Washington County and Hawkins County.
Mike McWherter will participate in a gubernatorial forum at Northeast State Community College in Blountville on Monday, Ned McWherter said.
He said candidates who don’t campaign in East Tennessee are “missing the best part of the state.”
“These are good communities to live in, and these are good people,” he said. “I like these Northeast Tennesseans.”
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He said his son will make a good governor in part because McWherter raised him.
“I know he was raised right because I raised him,” McWherter said. “He’s a conservative young man, and will always be.”
Mike McWherter will speak for East Tennessee well, according to his father, who called him an “old-timey conservative Democrat.”
“I know my son will represent this area well,” the former governor said. “And if he doesn’t, I’ll fuss at him.”
Read the rest of the story at the Bristol Herald Courier.
