Story Published:
Apr 27, 2010 at 5:10 PM CST
Story Updated:
Apr 27, 2010 at 5:10 PM CST
Hosting an informal fund-raiser at his home in Putnam County, Watson Brown said that his motive was simply to offer assistance to his long time friend, Congressional Candidate and State Senator Jim Tracy.
Jim Tracy is a Republican candidate for the 6th Congressional House District, the seat currently held by Rep. Bart Gordon and faces several competitors in the fall election.
Speaking with CookevilleTimes, Tracy explained that his three major areas of experience include education, agriculture, and business.
Tracy's mother was a school teacher, and he also taught school, coached football and even refereed some. As a state Senator, Tracy said that he is very familiar with the needs of Tennessee Tech and MTSU.
Sen. Tracy also said that he understands the needs of agriculture in this area. In college he was an ag-ed major and he has interacted a lot with farmers, both in his insurance business in Shelbyville, TN and in his role as state senator.
As a small business owner, Tracy stated that he feels uniquely prepared to help remove ostacles for small business. "What I've learned," said Tracy, "is that government needs to get out of the way and let business owners grow their businesses."
Using a football analogy for government interaction with small businesses, Tracy says, that it’s all about the basics. "In football, when a team starts having trouble performing on the field, the next practice, the coach will take them back to their roots..the basic moves of football. The government needs to get back to the basics of what made small businesses succeed and the economy flourish."
Elaborating on the needs of small business, Tracy indicated small businesses are concerned right now,
"With the health care reform, small businesses are afraid to expand or move out, because they don’t know what the federal government is going to do to them." said Tracy.
He said that government’s job, at all levels, was to create the best possible environment for businesses to prosper.
On the topic of economic growth in the area, Tracy commented that industries targeting the area are looking for three things.
1. Good school systems both for higher tech work candidates and for good schooling for their children.
2. Good roads to move raw materials in and finished product out of the area.
3. A high quality of life.
He says that the Upper Cumberland is strong in all three.
Watson Brown added, "Jim is going to be his own man. He’s not going to be bought. He’s going to do a good job with class and integrity. But he’s not going to get elected on the basis that he has a lot of money."
Asked what has suprised him most about this campaign, Sen. Tracy said "How much money it takes to run for office. It's very hard or a small business person to even contemplate." Tracy said he is extremely grateful for the generosity of friends like Watson Brown who are willing to open their homes and help support his efforts.
For more information on Jim Tracy, click
here.
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