NASHVILLE – In a new television ad, Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Karl Dean charges that Republican rival Bill Lee is "extreme" when it comes to the GOP candidate's support for arming teachers and allowing school vouchers while opposing Medicaid expansion for an estimated 300,000 low-income Tennesseans.
The 30-second spot, titled "Would You Want," comes with early voting ongoing in Tennessee in the Nov. 6 election and with polls showing Lee ahead in their contest to succeed term-limited Republican Gov. Bill Haslam.
Tennessee gubernatorial candidates, Democrat Karl Dean, left, and Republican Bill Lee greet one another at the beginning of their debate at the Toy R. Reid Employee Center at Tennessee Eastman, Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2018, in Kingsport, Tenn. (David Crigger/The Bristol Herald-Courier via AP)Speaking into the camera, the low-key Dean, a former Nashville mayor, asks: "Would you want a governor who would give public school funds to private schools? Or arm teachers and allow guns in classrooms? Or deny healthcare to hundreds of thousands of Tennesseans and let our tax dollars fund healthcare in other states?
"I'm Karl Dean, and that's the choice in this election," Dean continues. "Bill Lee believes all of that; I don't. I'm not the flashiest guy running, but we don't need an extreme governor who would take us backward. Let's keep Tennessee moving forward."
It's Dean's toughest ad hit yet against Lee, a Williamson County businessman and political newcomer.
Amid national concerns over school shootings, Lee says the state should "absolutely allow a qualified and vetted teacher to make the choices to be part of the solution" in terms of safety.
Lee has also noted that "we protect our judges, we even protect our governor. But we leave our children defenseless in gun-free zones."
But the Republican has presented a more nuanced approach on vouchers, which would allow parents to send their children to private schools at taxpayer expense. Lee says he's interested in a limited program.
Lee has also dismissed Dean's contention that expansion of Medicaid health benefits under the federal Affordable Care Act would help save rural hospitals in Tennessee where hospital closures are a major issue.
Lee argues the problems stem from soaring health care costs and inefficiencies.
Contact Andy Sher at asher@timesfreepress.com or 615-255-0550. Follow on Twitter @AndySher1.