Doctor Critical Of Lax COVID Rules Wins Tennessee Dem Governor Race
Newsy
Jason Martin jumped into the gubernatorial race last year after becoming an outspoken critic of Gov. Bill Lee's handling of the virus outbreak.
Jason Martin, a Nashville doctor critical of Republican Gov. Bill Lee's hands-off approach to the COVID-19 pandemic, won the Democratic nomination for governor Friday and will face Lee in November.
Martin, a first-time political candidate, defeated Memphis attorney and City Councilman JB Smiley Jr. by a thin margin, with advocate Carnita Atwater finishing a distant third. Both Smiley and Atwater would have been the state's first Black gubernatorial nominee if either had won.
"We hear your message loud and clear. You're upset that Bill Lee has failed you," Martin said late Thursday, declaring victory before the race was called as he held a narrow lead in the vote count.
