Jim Hackworth
No issue weighs heavier on people right now than the economy. Tennesseans are angry and fearful. They’re worried the American Dream is disappearing for their families because of the lack of good jobs in our communities.
They’ve seen friends, neighbors, and family members lose jobs through no fault of their own and small businesses shut down because there is no one left to buy their goods and services. People are waiting desperately to hear common sense solutions from the politicians running our state and our country. They are eager to see our East Tennessee conservative values used to make decisions that affect their daily lives.
Our current state representative promised us a bright and shiny future two years ago. Unfortunately, all we have received thus far is a total eclipse.
In fact, under his lack of leadership in 2011, Anderson County for the first time in a decade saw only 249 new jobs, dropping us down to a three-way tie for 21st in job creation in Tennessee. This occurred after Anderson County had been in the Top 6 for seven out of the previous nine years.
The year 2011 represents the lowest number of new jobs created in Anderson County in over a decade.
When I served as your state representative, I worked with Democrats, Republicans and Independents to create jobs here. In 2010, I teamed with local officials to create 1,100 new jobs, making Anderson County the third-highest job creating county in Tennessee—four times the 2011 numbers.
It’s no secret what needs to be done. We need an economy that creates jobs for all Tennesseans. We need leaders who will fight for the middle class and everyone who is trying hard to work their way into the middle class.
It’s time to get back to basics. We must work together to create opportunities for all Tennesseans by attracting and maintaining good jobs and strengthening our schools if we are to restore the American Dream.
Tennesseans have seen enough partisan bickering. They want leadership who will work with both parties and independents to make progress on what matters—getting people back to work and making sure our children get a high-quality education so they can compete for the jobs of the future.
Unlike our current state representative, I’ll consider a good idea from anyone because a good idea doesn’t come with a party label.
Former Tennessee Rep. Jim Hackworth, a Clinton Democrat, is running against current Rep. John Ragan, an Oak Ridge Republican, to represent the 33rd District, which includes most of Anderson County, in the Nov. 6 election.
