At Monday’s political forum sponsored by Southern Standard and WCPI, Edward Buck (I) and Kevin Dunlap (D), the candidates for 43rd District Tennessee House, offered a friendly discussion, with both aspirants being polite and respectful in their comments.
The candidates focused on differing points in their opening statements.
Dunlap stressed the importance of education, saying, “I’ve had public school teachers who gave me an incredible education in the public schools here in Warren County. I think our public schools are incredible places that educate our children and help them to be able to go out into the workforce and have meaningful and successful careers.”
He continued, “What we must do is continue to move forward in our state so we have 21st century jobs for our young people. We’ve got to be able to have high-paying jobs so our young people in this state and in this community can come back and grow and have high-paying jobs. And that’s what I intend to do. Have strong schools, high-paying jobs, and to work hard to make this community a great place.”
Buck discussed bringing more jobs and business to our district, saying, “We need more jobs for the people. In just our district alone, Sparta’s lost six companies. The unemployment rate is just atrocious and there are things I have seen in other states that they could do, that could be brought here that would create so many new jobs. Tax-free zones for companies to come out here. We could lower the taxes for the individual companies and get, still, a large revenue into the government which creates a whole lot of jobs.”
Buck continued, “The things I’ve seen in running my own companies before really need to be brought to the attention of the people in the state House. Because without it we’re just going to keep doing the same thing we’re doing.”
In the question and answer portion of the evening, candidates were asked six questions on such subjects as Common Core and education, Medicare and healthcare for the poor, and bringing jobs to the state.
In closing, Dunlap said, “I want to say to the voters that Tennessee values are what I want to take to Nashville. I want to give back to this community by going to Nashville. I want to bring new leadership and Tennessee values to Capitol Hill. I believe firmly we can do better in this district. We can do better in this state to bring those good-paying jobs and make this community worthy for us to live. I want to help us make that successful. “
Buck closed by saying, “There are a lot of things wrong with the state of Tennessee. There are a lot of things right with the state of Tennessee. The things that are right we need to keep. Things that are wrong need to be changed. We don’t need to add any more taxes. We don’t need to add to our health care rolls without knowing exactly what’s in the bills. But we do need to change the way we’re going to create more jobs, because without that all we’re going to be is a rural community with a lot of people on unemployment and healthcare.”
Early voting is currently open in the early voting room at the County Administrative Building. Regular voting will be Nov. 4 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.