The Democratic candidate running for Tennessee governor says if elected, he would exercise his executive powers to protect physicians who provide abortions.
Dr. Jason Martin is challenging incumbent Republican Bill Lee for Tennessee’s top job.
Martin appeared on WPLN’s daily show “This is Nashville” on Thursday to answer voter questions, including on the state’s all-out abortion ban.
“We think it’s important to use the power of the executive to push back against some of these radical laws that are coming across,” he said. “I would be willing to use the power of the pardon to protect physicians who are fulfilling life-saving care.”
Gov. Lee, through his campaign spokesperson, declined WPLN’s request to participate in the candidate forum as well as submit written answers afterward.
Lee has largely avoided campaigning in public or acknowledging his opponent in the race.
More: Listen to the Martin’s full interview on “This is Nashville”
Tennessee’s abortion law does not contain any exceptions for rape or incest — and only a narrow legal defense for the life of a pregnant person.
Martin said in addition to using his executive powers, he would try to work with the legislature to scale back portions of the law.
“He’s going to put people like me — critical care doctors — who are trying to save the life of our patients … in jail with felony convictions,” said Martin.
On education and changes to the charter commission
Voters also had questions about Gov. Lee’s education record and push for more charter schools statewide.
Gov. Lee announced a partnership with the conservative Hillsdale College earlier this year. That plan fell through after NewsChannel 5 published comments by Hilldale’s President, Larry Arnn, making disparaging remarks about teachers, saying they are from “the dumbest parts of the dumbest colleges in the country.”
Lee never condemned Arnn’s remarks, though later distanced himself from the Hillsdale partnership.
“It wasn’t about Tennessee teachers and Tennessee schools as much as it was about activism in education in this country,” Lee said about Arnn’s remarks. “I disagree with activism from the left, but I fully support our public schools in this state and our teachers as well.”
Martin says Gov. Lee’s support of using public funds for private school vouchers and charter schools is the wrong approach, and one he would reverse if elected.
“We’re going to work hard to get more money in the system, and secondly, we’re going to appoint a teacher to be the commissioner of the Department of Education so that teachers will have someone they can relate to — someone who has classroom experience right here in the state of Tennessee,” he said.
In response to a question posed by a voter on the state-run Public Charter School Commission, which has the authority to override decisions by local school boards, Martin said he would favor reforming the body.
“The commission would not override local schools,” said Martin.
A dry spell for Tennessee Democrats running for statewide office
Martin received several questions about how a Democrat would fare in the governor’s mansion given the General Assembly’s Republican supermajority.
“Look, working with the General Assembly is going to be a challenge, but it’s what we are elected to do,” he said. “And so I’m going to go in and be principled and try to find common ground.”
Martin compared Lee’s current approach to governing as being a “rubber stamp,” citing Lee’s decision last session to let a bill he opposed go into law instead of vetoing it.
The so-called “Truth in Sentencing” legislation enforces stiffer penalties for some crimes, a move at odds with Gov. Lee’s views on criminal justice reform.
Lee’s move was in anticipation of a veto override by the Republican-controlled Legislature, but Martin says he should have done it anyway.
“Let them veto it. Stand for something. Be principled,” Martin said.
Democrats have not won a gubernatorial race since Gov. Phill Bredesen’s re-election in 2006, a dry spell that now extends to both U.S. Senate seats as well.
Gov. Lee has out-raised and out-spent Martin this race, and is favored to win re-election. Martin says despite these headwinds, his campaign is about starting a conversation.
“This is not a red state. This is a non-voting state,” said Martin. “So what we are doing is giving people a reason to go to the polls by focusing on issues that impact every Tennessean.”
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