Johnson City Press endorses Lee, Fitzhugh

The Johnson City Press is endorsing Republican Bill Lee and Democrat Craig Fitzhugh in the gubernatorial primary.

“On the right, Lee is checking all the right boxes for traditional Republican voters — Second Amendment protections, limited government, business acumen and tough immigration policy to name a few — while also presenting creative solutions in such areas as education and criminal justice. As Lee’s standing has risen in the polls, he predictably has become the target of attack ads, but he wisely has stayed largely above the fray,” according to the paper.

The paper praised Fitzhugh for knowing “state government inside and out” from his 12 years as a state lawmaker.

“Although he resides on the other side of the state, Fitzhugh’s rural roots and personable approach give him the proper perspective to understand the needs of Northeast Tennessee” accroding to the endorsement. “That’s most clear in his commitment to expanding broadband into rural communities as a key to economic development, and he’s willing to fight the special interests of the major broadband providers to get it done. We would expect him to be a feisty force in the governor’s chair.”

“Most importantly, Fitzhugh is firm in his belief that Tennessee needs to sign on to Medicaid expansion, both as a way to improve the health of Tennesseans and to save the state’s hospitals.”

The Knoxville News Sentinel has endorsed Republican Randy Boyd and the Chattanooga Times Free Press has endorsed Fitzhugh and Lee.