A candidate of compromise, Craig Fitzhugh makes pitch in Williamson County

A southern drawl and plucky spirit, Tennessee Democratic House Minority Leader Craig Fitzhugh said he understands what makes Republicans tick.

In his first public appearance in Williamson County, Rep. Fitzhugh (D-Ripley) said he's used to working with people with different perspectives. For the last 23 years in the state legislature, it's been his job.

Most recently, he pointed to Gov. Bill Haslam's IMPROVE Act, which galvanize transportation efforts in the state. He think he's could take that same knowledge to succeed Haslam.

Read more: What is Haslam's IMPROVE Act and how would it affect you?

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"It's like anything else," he said. "Our country was founded on compromise. If there are good ideas out there, and we think we can make it better, we will do that. We partner with our caucus because it is so small, and we will partner with a faction of the other side because it's so large. We will put two groups together to get a little leverage and a little bit of clout."

This upcoming Democratic primary could become the most contested in recent years, and vying for votes in a heavily Republican county didn't intimidate him.

"I need every vote I can get," he said. "I am going to every county, and I am doing it again. This is a great group of Democrats down here, and it was no problem to come to Williamson County."

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Fitzhugh, 67, entered the race months later than his Democratic challenger former Nashville Mayor Karl Dean. The bank CEO said his main issues going into the race would revolve around education, health care and broadband internet in rural areas.

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Since his announcement a week and a half ago, Fitzhugh has hopped from county to county, bouncing in and out of Middle Tennessee.

"I don't think we had a late start," he said. "I don't think regular folks are thinking about a gubernatorial election that's over a year away. But the people that are involved in politics are, so we are hustling to catch up."

Reach Emily West at erwest@tennessean.com or 615-613-1380 and on Twitter at @emwest22.