Lee, Boyd differ on megasite development at guber forum
Two leading Republican candidates for governor in Tennessee drew a contrast over an economic development “megasite” during a forum Thursday, reports the Associated Press.
At the Tennessee Press Association forum, former state economic development chief Randy Boyd said it’s worth the time and remaining investment of $70 million-plus to the Memphis Regional Megasite because it could help create more than 30,000 jobs.
But businessman Bill Lee said there isn’t currently a workforce prepared for the jobs that the megasite might attract.
Boyd claims lead in gubernatorial campaign fundraising
Press release from Randy Boyd campaign
Nashville, Tenn. — Randy Boyd, Republican candidate for Governor, announced that his year-end financial report totals more than $7.5 million in contributions through the second reporting period, with more than 3,000 campaign donations to the campaign to date from all 95 counties in Tennessee. Continue reading
Beavers exit came after reporting poor fundraising in run for governor
Former Sen. Mae Beavers suspension of her campaign for governor came after filing a financial disclosure showing she had raised a modest $163,947 in the past six months.
She reported spending $51,931 through Jan. 10 and a cash-on-hand balance of $167,409. In her first gubernatorial campaign disclosure, filed last July, Beavers reported receiving $56,771 — $40,000 of that transferred from her old state Senate campaign account.
Boyd to drop $300,000 on statewide TV buy
Republican gubernatorial candidate Randy Boyd speaks during a forum at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, January 23, 2018. (Photo credit: Belmont University)
Randy Boyd is spending $300,000 on a statewide ad buy in support of his Republican bid for governor, the Chattanooga Times Free Press reports.
The campaign confirmed the move to reporter Andy Sher, who spotted the evidence of the buy in Federal Communications Commission filings.
Poll finds Black leads Dean by 11 points hypothetical governor match; Beavers tied
Former state Sen. Mae Beavers and Williamson County businessman Bill Lee would face closer general election races as the Republican nominee for governor against Democrat Karl Dean, a former Nashville mayor, than three other contenders for the GOP nomination, according to a poll commissioned by Tennessee Star.
Five gubernatorial candidates agree on most education issues
Five Tennessee gubernatorial candidates had a “cordial hourlong forum” on education Tuesday evening at Belmont University in Nashville, displaying few disagreements and making plenty of promises, reports The Tennessean.
Tennessee gubernatorial candidates talk education during SCORE event at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, January 23, 2018. (Photo credit: Belmont University)
See the gubernatorial hopefuls in action at the first televised debate
Five of the seven major candidates for governor attended the first televised debate of the campaign season last night.
Here are some pool photos of those who discussed education issues at Belmont University: Republicans Randy Boyd, Beth Harwell and Bill Lee; and Democrats Karl Dean and Craig Fitzhugh. Mae Beavers had been scheduled to appear, but bowed out following the death of her mother over the weekend. Fellow Republican Diane Black chose to attend other events.
From left, Republican Beth Harwell, Democrat Craig Fitzhugh. Democrat Karl Dean, Republican Bill Lee, and Republican Randy Boyd during the Gubernatorial Forum on Education at Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2018. (Andrew Nelles/The Tennessean, Pool)
