Johnson City Press: Conservative, Former Governor Ned McWherter Stumps In 7th For Fred Phillips

link to Johnson City Press article

Story published: 09-24-2006
McWherter stumps for friend - Former governor in town to make case for Phillips in race against Hill

By Rex Barber
Press Staff Writer
emailto:rbarber@johnsoncitypress.com

“It’s time to elect Fred Phillips,” was the common slogan at a rally held for the former Tennessee safety commissioner Saturday in Johnson City.

Phillips, who also served as Johnson City’s police chief and sheriff of Washington County before being appointed safety commissioner by Gov. Phil Bredesen in 2004, was stumping with former Tennessee Gov. Ned McWherter at The Oaks Castle, 1416 S. Roan St.

Phillips, a Democrat, is seeking to oust current Republican state Rep. Matthew Hill in his first bid at legislative office as the representative in the Tennessee General Assembly’s 7th District Congressional House seat after 42 years of public service in law enforcement.

Phillips said he believes there is a serious need for Northeast Tennessee to be better represented in Nashville.

“Well, you know, I was kind of pressed into service by my constituents,” Phillips said. “I get the feeling here that they’re not getting a return on their tax dollar in Nashville.”

One of the recurring arguments for Phillips’ election to office by his supporters was his well-established relationships with leaders in Nashville, something they claim is desperately needed.

“I have always been able to cross that party line and receive votes,” Phillips said. “The last time I ran a race for sheriff I ran a contested race and I picked up 74 percent of the vote. I have the contacts down there and I have friendships in Nashville; call it what you want, it’s contacts.”

One such example of using Phillips’ networking skills would be garnering road improvements within the city and county, notably what Phillips said was a need for the portion of Interstate 26 that runs through Johnson City to be expanded to six lanes.

“For some reason [Elmer: Matthew Hill] in the (20)06-07 budget there is no new road dollars out of (the Tennessee Department of Transportation) to do anything on the highway systems in Washington County,” he said. “Now you go in neighboring Greene and Hamblen (counties), they’re doing a complete overhaul of Interstate 81, so I just need to see that it flows on into Washington County. And I think with my direct connection with Commissioner (of Transportation) Gerald Nicely and my friendship with him I can convince him that those dollars need to come here.”

McWherter, who served as Tennessee’s 46th governor from 1987-1995, reaffirmed the notion that connections get things done, saying three commissioners appointed by Bredesen who were present Saturday were responsible for building projects in Tennessee — and Phillips was friends with all of them.

“Let me tell you, I’ve known this man a long time,” McWherter said of Phillips. “He came down to Nashville my last four years. I know his character, I know he’s trustworthy, I know his family ... I hope you’ll adhere to this: It’s time to elect Fred Phillips.”

[...]

McWherter has long been known as a staunchly conservative Democrat, something not usually attributed to a Democratic leader.

I suppose that Rep. Matthew Hill could always get his buddy former Tennessee Governor Don Sundquist to campaign for the Hill 2006 as Hill worked as a campaign volunteer during both of the Sundquist gubernatorial elections...