Bredesen v. Bryson

The two candidates running for governor, incumbent Phil Bredesen and State Senator Jim Bryson won their primary races handily as expected.

Even though he’s out raised his opponent by several million dollars, and even though his popularity remains high, Democrat Governor Phil Bredesen says he’s not taking the governor’s race lightly.

“If you get complacent, bad things can happen, so I’m just treating it as a serious race.  I feel very good about where I am at the moment, but I think the way you stay there is to treat it seriously and get out there and campaign.”

Republican nominee Jim Bryson criticized Bredesen for lacking leadership.  Bryson says his values resonate more with the state’s voters.

“People are tired of being 45th in so many things like we are in graduation rates, it’s time to really set a big vision.  It’s time to have a governor in this state who has a big heart for the people of Tennessee and will actually look out for the people of Tennessee and will actually pay as much attention to our moral compass as our bond rating.”

Bryson says education and stopping illegal immigration will be huge issues in this fall’s election.   Bredesen says he wants to focus on education, health care and job creation.