CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – (CLARKSVILLENOW) Former Nashville mayor and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Karl Dean was Tuesday’s guest at the Downtown Kiwanis Club.

Speaking to Kiwanis, Dean talked about his campaign and covered issues like education, economic growth and health care.

The candidate talked about his early career as a public defender and Director of Law in Nashville until his first term as mayor from 2007-2011 and his second term until leaving office in 2015. Since leaving Dean has been teaching, first in Boston and then at Belmont until his decision to run for governor.

“I decided to run for governor because I’m convinced the people of Tennessee want a moderate, pragmatic, common sense get-it-done person as governor. I do not think Tennesseans want an extremist or someone who is over devoted to party lines,” said Dean.

Dean says his number one priority as governor is education.

“Education is going to help us with economic development, public safety, public health and most importantly it will give our kids the opportunity to succeed and have complete lives,” he said.

He added that teachers should also be paid more so that school districts across the state can attract the best teachers and retain them.

Talking about economic development, Dean said he appreciates the importance of having a vibrant private sector that is producing jobs, creating opportunities, and allowing people the chance to advance themselves and to essentially live the American dream.

“It’s important to recognize that when the economy is growing it’s creating the revenue that allows you to do what you need to do in education, with state parks and what you want to do with health,” Dean said.

“We are one of the least healthy states in the country. We’re never going to get a handle on health care in Tennessee if we think about health only when people are chronically ill. We need to think about it beforehand and try to encourage people to live healthier lives.”

Dean said the second part of a healthy lifestyle is access to health care. He spoke about Medicaid not being expanded in the state.

“I think the next governor is going to have to do whatever to be a champion for Tennessee getting its fair share of Medicaid dollars,” he said.

The Tennessee State Primary and Montgomery County General Election is set for August 2 with the Tennessee State General and City of Clarksville Election November 6.