BY ALLIE ROBINSON
BRISTOL HERALD COURIER
PINEY FLATS, Tenn. – Visiting the area he calls “the best part of the state,” former Gov. Ned McWherter stumped here for his son’s gubernatorial campaign Thursday.
McWherter, who lives in Dresden, Tenn., set up camp at Pardner’s Bar-B-Que to talk about the issues he feels his son, Democratic candidate Mike McWherter, will tackle.
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.”
When he took office in 1987, McWherter said, it was the result of visiting East Tennessee and shaking a lot of hands. It also helped him get re-elected in 1991, he said.
“I campaigned like the dickens when I was running,” he said. “I believe if you’re going to run for office you have to shake everybody’s hand. I still think that’s the best policy.”
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.”
Mike McWherter, 54, of Jackson, is the only Democrat on the gubernatorial ticket. His Republican opponent will be determined in the Aug. 5 primary, in which voters will choose among U.S. Rep. Zach Wamp, 52, of Chattanooga, Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey, 54, of Blountville, and Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam, 51, of Knoxville.
arobinson@bristolnews.com | (276) 645-3385
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