Berke Kefauver

Jobs and the economy were the focus of the four Democratic gubernatorial candidates who spoke at the Hamilton County Democratic Party's Estes Kefauver Dinner on Monday night at the Chattanooga Choo-Choo.

"These are serious times," said state Sen. Roy Herron, D-Dresden, who was the winner of the night's straw poll. "I understand the numbers, and I understand the human reality."

Sen. Herron listed off the names of several businesses in and around his hometown that have closed. He said his main three priorities as governor would be "jobs, jobs and jobs," and his way to address them was "education, education and education."

Former state Rep. Kim McMillan, D-Clarksville, also discussed the need for education, saying Hemlock Semiconductor Corp.'s decision to build a $1.2 billion plant in Clarksville is a good example of how job growth can come to Tennessee. She argued that Austin Peay University's efforts to create training programs on campus helped bring the plant there.

"I think we have to think creatively," she said. "We have to draw upon the resources of academia, of government and of the private sector so we can create an economic development that we can replicate all across Tennessee."

Nashville businessman Ward Cammack said energy efficiency and independence are important to keeping money within Tennessee. He also stressed the need for Tennessee to be part of a national high-speed rail system.

"To not have high-speed rail is like saying we were going to sit out the interstate system," he said.

State Sen. Jim Kyle, D-Memphis, argued that President Barack Obama's stimulus package has brought funds to and kept jobs in Tennessee. He said that the state GOP, which took control of both houses of the General Assembly last year, have ignored economic hardship.

"Did they look for jobs? Did they look for education? Did they look for people?" he asked. "No. They looked at guns."

Chris Devaney, chairman of the Tennessee Republican Party, said the GOP is ready to take the governor's office as well.

"We have strong and, I believe, superior candidates on our side," he said.

The fifth Democratic gubernatorial candidate, Mike McWherter was not present at Monday's dinner due to a family illness.