CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Jerri Green, the Democratic candidate for Tennessee governor, visited Clarksville this week and gave a speech focused human rights, immigration, women’s health and helping the working class.
“Those aren’t just talking points,” Green said. “Those are real-life stories.”
Green was one of the speakers at the Montgomery County Democratic Party’s 2026 Blue South BBQ at Eagle Rest Pavilion. The event Saturday included candidates in races from the Clarksville City Council to Congress making their case to voters.
Attendees ate fresh-cooked barbecue under the pavilion while candidates took turns making their statements at the lectern. Here’s what the candidates had to say.
Green on minimum wage, vouchers
Jerri Green, a Memphis City Council member, is the Democratic nominee for governor. She faces Republican U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn and 13 independent candidates for the seat held by Gov. Bill Lee, who is term-limited.
Green said voters want a higher minimum wage, an end to the state’s grocery tax, a freeze on the gas tax, and the elimination of medical debt. Tennessee has no state minimum wage and follows the federal minimum of $7.25 an hour. That isn’t enough, she said, given the rising cost of living.
She also called for accepting federal Medicaid expansion funds to help reopen rural hospitals, and for ending the state’s school voucher program and redirecting that money to public schools.
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On immigration, Green said she would end the state’s 287(g) enforcement agreements, which allow state and local agencies to enforce federal immigration laws under ICE supervision.
Green talked about the impact of being the first woman to win the Democratic primary for governor. “I meet a lot of little girls on the road, and so it means a lot to me to be standing up here as the first woman.” She also thanked all the trailblazers who came before her to make her run for governor possible.
Bradshaw: ‘You have to put things into action’
Democratic candidate Marquita Bradshaw is challenging Republican U.S. Sen. Bill Hagerty in a rematch of their 2020 race. She told the attendees that working-class citizens are “not just wanting change; they’re hoping for change.”
Bradshaw’s platform includes lower prescription drug costs and Medicaid expansion to support the reopening of rural hospitals.
Affordable housing is needed for working-class citizens; and a green policy, she said, would create eco-friendly jobs. She adds that the country can pay for those priorities by ending “unauthorized wars” and financing public education “just like we do our military.”
“Don’t you think people deserve clean water, no matter what?” Bradshaw asked.
U.S. House candidates
After this year’s redistricting, Montgomery County is split between the 5th and 7th Congressional Districts. The Democratic nominees in both races spoke.
Columbia Mayor Chaz Molder is the Democratic nominee in the 5th District, facing Republican Charlie Hatcher. Molder called it a close race and encouraged the crowd to organize.
Darden Copeland, the Democratic nominee in the 7th District, is running against U.S. Rep. Matt Van Epps, a Nashville Republican.
Copeland said he would be an independent voice in Congress, despite his party affiliation. “I’m not going to go up there and take the red playbook or the blue playbook. I’m going to figure out what playbook works right for Middle Tennessee,” Copeland said.
He pledged to work closely with local governments, noting they must balance their budgets while Congress carries about $40 trillion in national debt.
State Legislature candidates
State Rep. Ronnie Glynn, a Clarksville Democrat, is running for re-election in District 67 against Republican Chris Lanier. Glynn said getting younger residents to vote starts with explaining what’s at stake. “We have got to start talking to our younger folks and letting them know it’s not just go vote; it’s why you need to vote,” he said.
Glynn said every high school in the county should follow Rossview High School’s lead in bringing the Election Commission in to register seniors.
He supported eliminating the state’s grocery tax and criticized the school voucher program, which he said could cost the state about $600 million.
| MORE: Where do they stand? Tennessee House District 67 candidates Glynn, Lanier
Garfield Scott, a Democrat running in District 68, which is held by Republican state Rep. Aron Maberry, said lawmakers need to listen to teachers.
“The backbone of education is our teachers,” Scott said.
He also pointed to frequent wrecks on roads used by industrial traffic. Scott said that by taking action to adjust current issues like gas, food, and roads, we can make huge changes for our community.
| MORE: Where do they stand? Tennessee House District 68 candidates Maberry, Scott
Clarksville mayor candidates
Two of the three candidates for Clarksville mayor took part in the forum. The City Council and city mayor races are not partisan.
Brian Zacharias, a City Council member representing Ward 1, pointed to his 22 years of service and said he has experienced Clarksville as a single soldier, a parent in a family of five, and a council member.
He said the city budget has a structural flaw that he is bringing to the council, and he called housing costs a critical issue.
On child care, Zacharias said the city’s economic council can reach new agreements so no child misses out on programs because of money. He said traffic won’t be solved soon, and public transit is struggling, though plans are in the works. On homelessness, he said the city should “treat the cause, not the symptoms” by partnering with nonprofits.
Mark Riggins, who has led Clarksville Gas and Water for about 7 1/2 years, said his top priority would be a public audit of the city’s debt and revenue. “That’s one of the biggest issues the city has: The public doesn’t trust the city,” he said.
Riggins said new developments should include utilities and sidewalks, and that the city budget currently has no money for child care. He pushed for fixing traffic lights and adding more programs for young people.
| MORE: Mayor of Clarksville candidates Riggins, Smith, Zacharias on streets, taxes, flooding
Uffelman: Costs rising faster than wages
Charles “Chas” Uffelman, running for Clarksville City Council Ward 6, said he is a third-generation union member from a family of teachers and farmers. He said housing, gas and food costs are rising faster than wages. “The most important budget that we have to balance is the home budget of working people, and it’s not balancing right now,” Uffelman said.
He called for lower housing costs, connected sidewalks, better roads, and, in the longer term, commuter rail to Nashville.
| MORE: Election news, including candidate announcements
How to register, how to vote in November
The State General and City of Clarksville election will be Tuesday, Nov. 3, with governor, Congress, General Assembly, city mayor and half the City Council on the ballot.
The voter registration deadline is Oct. 5. Early voting will be Oct. 14-29.
| MORE: Who’s on November ballot for governor, Congress, legislature, City of Clarksville races
Tennessee voters are required to show a valid photo identification. A driver’s license or photo ID issued by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, the Tennessee state government, or the federal government are acceptable, even if expired. College student IDs are not accepted.
For more information on voting, including registering to vote, go to the Montgomery County Election Commission website, visit their office at 350 Pageant Lane, Suite 404, email vote@mcgtn.net or call 931-648-5707.
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