NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Former Mayor of Nashville Karl Dean has announced his intent to run for Governor of Tennessee in 2018.

According to Dean’s representatives, he has planned to begin by meeting with resident’s in economically distressed counties and listen both their concerns and their ideas. This tour he has launched has been named Opportunity TN.

“Having managed a city through the Great Recession and a historic flood, I learned that problem-solving doesn’t begin with one person. And I also know there is no Democratic or Republican solution to problems. It begins with all of us working together and so that’s the foundation on which we’re going to build this campaign,” Dean said. “Tennessee is a great state that is poised to move forward if we focus on the right work. As Governor, I want to create opportunity for all Tennesseans, regardless of where they live, and that starts with education and jobs.”

The announcement also said Dean will run for governor as a Democrat. He served two-terms in a non-partisan role as Nashville’s mayor, which his representatives said had him working beyond party lines.

They added a sign of his bipartisan appeal was the 79% vote he received in his reelection campaign.

Dean’s campaign for governor has been expected to begin in full this summer. He's the first Democrat to enter the governor's race.

Reports stated Dean has planned to file paperwork on Monday to appoint a campaign manager that would allow him to begin fundraising.

The 61-year-old Dean was Nashville's mayor from 2007 to 2015.

No Democrat has been elected to statewide office in Tennessee since 2006. Dean said his candidacy "will be the hardest thing that I have ever done."

Quoted:
If he wins, which state park will he declare to be a money pit that is draining the state's budget, to justify selling it off to his developer buddies?

Quoted:
If he wins, which state park will he declare to be a money pit that is draining the state's budget, to justify selling it off to his developer buddies?

Quoted:


I see that his replacement is trying to rid the city of the cancerous fairgrounds too. Soccer, really?!?!