By Ryan Lewis
Correspondent
SOUTH PITTSBURG, Tenn. - Mike McWherter says rural Tennessee areas like Marion County are the keys to winning his bid to be the next governor of the state.
Speaking to a crowd of supporters in South Pittsburg on Tuesday, the Democratic candidate said he's determined to keep a presence in the outlying communities.
"They're the ones who will really decide this election," McWherter said. "There's no question in my mind about that."
Though Gov. Phil Bredesen did not show up for the rally as scheduled, McWherter said he wants to continue to build on Bredesen's eight-year foundation of recruiting industry.
McWherter said creating jobs, especially in the rural areas of the state, is crucial to pulling Tennesseans out of the current economic problems.
"If you get people back to work, you've got consumers," he said. "If you've got consumers, you've got revenue. I've never seen a business that cut its way to prosperity. You have to grow your way to prosperity."
South Pittsburg was one of the first school systems in the state to have a prekindergarten program, which McWherter described as "a model for the rest of the country."
He said the program is essential to the state's future because studies show that children exposed to pre-k do better in their educational and professional careers.
McWherter described himself as a conservative who is also a Democrat.
"I don't think the two are mutually exclusive," he said. "I'm interested in helping the working people of Tennessee."
William McKinney, a freshman at South Pittsburg High School, said he was impressed with McWherter's down-to-earth approach.
"I think he'd make a good governor," he said. "It sounded like he really meant what he said."
South Pittsburg Mayor Mike Killian said the town was happy to have McWherter visit.
"We're always up for an event in South Pittsburg," he said. "We have more events like this than most towns our size, and that's part of what we're about as a town."
Ryan Lewis is based in Marion County. Contact him at ryanlewis34@gmail.com.