NICK DUNAGAN

Special for the Sun

Unless you are living in a cave, it is pretty clear from the media, yard signs and coffee shop discussions that this is election time. This year’s prize is the open seat in the U.S. Senate, the seat soon to be vacated by Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn). This is going to be an old-fashioned, down to the wire, race with Tennesseans having a choice between former Gov. Phil Bredesen and eight-term Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn (R-District 7).

As I’ve heard people discuss this race, it seems there is real concern on how independent Bredesen would be in the U.S. Senate. While Bredesen is a Democrat, he has said that the Democratic Party is an organization, not a religion. He’s spent eight years as Mayor of Nashville and eight years as Governor of Tennessee, and he’s had no trouble angering his own party to do what’s best for Tennesseans. Instead, he’s embodied that practical leadership we’ve come to expect from Tennessee governors like Bill Haslam, Ned McWherter and Lamar Alexander. Bredesen has consistently been honest and inclusive, and he has authored well thought out policy, and just plain good at what he has been elected to do.

During his time as governor, Bredesen worked with Republicans in the State Legislature to fix TennCare. He solved a $300 million budget shortfall by implementing a 9 percent across-the-board spending cut and balanced the budget all 8 years in office. He also worked to bring in over 200,000 good paying jobs for Tennesseans despite facing a time of economic hardship.

Yet since Bredesen left office, West Tennessee has faced a health care crisis. Eight rural hospitals have closed since 2010, and the hospital in McKenzie is the latest to close its doors. As the former chancellor of the University of Tennessee at Martin, I am concerned the lack of hospitals in our region will undermine economic development, preventing employers from investing in new jobs and people from moving to West Tennessee. If you live in a place where the closest hospital is over an hour away, one accident or sudden illness can be the difference between life and death. That’s unacceptable. The solution is not easy, but Bredesen has the skill set to address important issues like this.

Bredesen has spent a significant amount of time listening to people’s concerns about health care in our state. He’s heard about issues ranging from access and affordability, to the cost of prescription drugs, to the opioid epidemic. He understands that Tennesseans need someone in the Senate who is dedicated to finding solutions for these problems. As former CEO of a health care company that later grew to employ over 6,000 people, Bredesen understands that government must work with the private sector to accomplish long-term goals for our country. He has that right mix of listening ability; foresight to understand that we must look to the future, and what seems to me is a humility that will make it easier for him to work both sides of the aisle.

He also believes that as senator, he needs to set aside partisan blinders and do what’s best for Tennessee. That’s why he’s willing to work with President Trump on issues that help Tennessee, and stand up to him on issues that harm Tennessee. He also wants to reach across the aisle to work with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to fight the spread of Asian carp in West Tennessee that is harming commercial fishing in Kentucky Lake and Tennessee’s rivers.

Bredesen also has a bold idea to empower TVA to expand rural broadband throughout Tennessee. Madison County has nearly universal access to broadband Internet, but many rural counties are lagging far behind their urban neighbors. Bredesen believes that TVA has the infrastructure and capability to expand rural broadband. Bredesen’s proposal harkens back to the time when our leaders in Washington weren’t afraid of big, bold projects. I don’t know if this will work, but it seems that Bredesen is not afraid to try big, bold projects. I salute his avoidance of political correctness. He reminds me of one of Davy Crockett’s favorite quotes, “Be always sure you’re right, then go ahead.”

Former Gov. Bredesen has a proven track record of independent leadership. He wants to take that independent record to Washington to get things done for Tennessee. Bredesen has made it clear he will always put Tennessee first, and I have no doubt he will do what’s best for us in the Senate. This November, let’s send Phil Bredesen to the U.S. Senate to put Washington to work for Tennessee.

Dr. Nick Dunagan was the eighth Chancellor of the University of Tennessee at Martin presiding in office from 2001 to 2007. He is currently president of the Martin Public Library Foundation.