Dean takes aim at Lee over Medicaid expansion
A new ad by Democrat Karl Dean is taking aim at Republican gubernatorial rival Bill Lee over Medicaid expansion.
“I’ve stood next to Bill Lee when he’s been adamantly against expanding medicaid, even though it means more shut down hospitals and higher costs on all of us,” Dean says in the ad.
Dean notes in the spot that Tennessee doesn’t get back the full amount that it pays into the federal Medicaid program.
“I’ll expand Medicaid and bring our tax dollars home,” Dean says.
Dean calls for local-option gas tax
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Karl Dean speaks to a business group in Nashville on March 20, 2018. (Erik Schelzig, Tennessee Journal)
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Karl Dean is calling for counties to be allowed the the option of adding a local surcharge to gas taxes collected by the state. Dean says much of those extra taxes would paid for by visitors and that the revenues would allow counties to fund specific infrastructure and transportation programs.
“Unlike my opponent, I believe passing the IMPROVE Act was the right move for Tennessee,” Dean said in a statement. “But we can’t rest; we can’t sit still. As governor, I’ll work with legislators to make transportation infrastructure an even better tool to add jobs and increase access to high-quality education and health care.”
Dean launches first general election ad
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Karl Dean has launched his first television ad of the general election campaign. Dean in the ad discusses his idea of “limitless libraries,” where students can get any library book delivered to their school.
“But we can do more,” the former Nashville mayor says in the ad. “How about skills training for any student who wants it? Or broadband everywhere? Or online access to doctors in big cities.”
Chattanooga mayor endorses former Nashville mayor for governor
A release from Democratic candidate Karl Dean’s campaign:
Today, Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke announced his endorsement for Karl Dean for Governor.
Dean joined Berke in downtown Chattanooga for a press conference where the announcement was made. Berke pointed to their shared experience of being mayors as the reason he’s supporting Dean’s candidacy.
“Karl Dean’s bold ideas, thoughtful leadership, and common sense approach to solving problems made him an outstanding two-term Mayor of Nashville,” Berke said. “As our next Governor, I know that he’ll work harder than anyone to provide more opportunities for more people in our state to get better educations and build better lives. Tennessee deserves a Governor who will work for everyone, including the urban neighborhoods and rural communities that are too often forgotten by leaders on Capitol Hill. Karl has proven to us that he’ll fight for Chattanoogans and our neighbors. I’m proud to endorse him today.”
Dean campaign announces ‘Educators for Dean’
Former Nashville Mayor Karl Dean is announcing the formation of a “Educators for Dean” group as the Democrat moves in to the general election phase of the governor’s race.
Dean as mayor and in his time since leaving office has been a supporter of expanding charter schools in the city, a key factor in his failure to land the endorsement of the Tennessee Education Association, the state’s largest teachers’ union, during the primary (the group’s nod went instead to House Minority Leader Craig Fitzhugh). Dean is now trying to shore up support among public education advocates as he faces off against Republican businessman Bill Lee.
“Tennessee has made significant progress on public education under Governor Haslam and Governor Bredesen,” Dean said in a release. “We need to continue that progress by ensuring every community in Tennessee has the resources it needs to be successful. This includes raising teacher pay and better supporting the professional growth of educators so that we can be competitive in attracting and retaining the best and the brightest teachers.”
U.S. Rep. Cooper endorses Dean for governor
U.S. Rep. Jim Cooper (D-Nashville) is endorsing former Nashville Mayor Karl Dean’s bid for governor.
Cooper joins fellow U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Memphis) and former U.S. Reps. Lincoln Davis and Bob Clement in giving the nod to Dean’s bid against state House Minority Leader Craig Fitzhugh in the Democratic gubernatorial primary.
“Karl Dean was a great Mayor. Successful mayors have what it takes to get things done for the whole state as Governor. He is committed to healthcare, jobs, and education for ALL Tennesseans, and I’m proud to endorse him,” Cooper said in a release.
Emmylou Harris endorses Dean for governor
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Karl Dean speaks to a business group in Nashville on March 20, 2018. (Erik Schelzig, Tennessee Journal)
Grammy award winner Emmylou Harris endorsed former Nashville Karl Dean’s bid for governor and was scheduled to headline a fundraiser for the Democrat in Nashville on Monday evening.
“Emmylou often uses her musical gifts to bring attention to issues she’s passionate about,” Dean said in a release. “I’m honored that she’s chosen to put her energy and her time into supporting my candidacy.”
Fitzhugh suggests GOP would ‘roll right over’ Dean
State House Minority Leader Craig Fitzhugh says Democratic gubernatorial primary rival Karl Dean won’t get very far on self-professed “pragmatism.”
The Memphis Daily News reports that Fitzhugh took aim at the former Nashville mayor’s plans to coexist with GOP supermajorities in the House and Senate during a meeting with the Shelby County Democratic Women in Memphis last week.
“If you get up there in that Republican-led legislature and you’re pragmatic, they are going to roll right over you,” Fitzhugh said.
Five guber candidates support collecting sales tax from out-of-state retailer sales to TN customers; differ on how to use resulting revenue
Five candidates for governor – Republicans Randy Boyd, Beth Harwell and Bill Lee along with Democrats Karl Dean and Craig Fitzhugh – praised a U.S. Supreme Court decision last week that means Tennessee can now require out-of-state online retailers to collect sales taxes on purchases made by their Tennessee, reports the Times Free Press.
Their comments came at a gubernatorial candidate forum hosted by the newspaper Monday in Chattanooga. One major GOP candidate, Diane Black, was campaigning in Carter County Monday and did not participate.
Former Nashville mayor Dean’s latest TV: He’ll listen to ‘forgotten Tennessee’
Press release from Karl Dean campaign
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (June 25, 2018) — Today, the Karl Dean for Governor campaign released its third TV spot that will air in all major media markets across Tennessee.
The ad titled “Forgotten Tennessee” highlights what Karl has consistently heard from Tennesseans. While some parts of Tennessee are thriving, there are parts of Tennessee that are struggling and that is where Dean will focus his efforts as governor.
