Four of the state’s six leading gubernatorial hopefuls met in Jackson to pitch their strategies for boosting and sustaining life in rural Tennessee.

Two Democrats and two Republicans fielded questions at Lane College about agriculture, infrastructure, education and the economy.

It was the first gubernatorial forum in Jackson in recent memory, said Julie Daniels, spokesperson for the Jackson Chamber of Commerce.

Health care wasn’t a specified topic, but the hot button issue — several small town hospitals have shuttered and closed in parts of West Tennessee — was threaded throughout the 90-minute forum.

» Dig In:  Tennessee’s gubernatorial hopefuls received 7 health care questions. Some answered.

Just over 1.5 million people live in rural counties — a population that’s grown about 350,000 since 1980, per the United States Department of Agriculture. In the same time period, those living in urban counties has increased by 1.67 million.

The candidates in attendance (see list below) talked broadly about how they would increase the chances for opportunity and prosperity in some of the state’s most distressed areas.

• Democrat Karl Dean, a former Nashville mayor;
• Democrat House Minority Leader Craig Fitzhugh;
• Republican Randy Boyd, former commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development; and
• Republican Bill Lee, a Williamson County businessman who is chairman of Lee Company

Neither Tennessee House Speaker Beth Harwell, R-Nashville, nor U.S. Rep. Diane Black, R-Tenn., who are both running for the Republican nomination were in attendance.

People who live in rural areas are more likely to be older, have less education and have higher rates of chronic disease than peers in metro areas, according to the Sycamore Institute.

The candidates want to tackle a wide variety of problems ranging from teacher retention and jobs to broadband and workforce development through post-secondary education.

A round-up of some issues and thoughts from candidates follows, although not all candidates were asked the same questions.

First priority upon taking office:

First priority if elected: Fitzhugh: medicaid expansion Lee: people want job, safety, ed for kids Dean: public education + healthcare, jobs Boyd: make Tennessee the place for opportunity

— BirdDog (@readbirddog) April 17, 2018

Vacant mega-site in West Tennessee:

Boyd: First job is to land a tenant. He defended the mega-site, which Fitzhugh said had lost some of its polish because it’s been vacant for so long, saying he doesn’t “believe the glow has worn off one bit.”

Dean: He’d hire a rural economic advisor — “someone to get up every day and go to bed every night thinking about it.”

Fitzhugh: “If you elect me, I’ll be your rural economic developer.”

Lee: The site wasn’t ready when it was marketed. He wants to approach government projects the same as private sector does, knowing on the front end when the project will start and be completed.

Miscellaneous:

Boyd: Wants to establish a “chief epidemic officer” to tackle the opioid abuse problem and work on getting people who need treatment out of jails and into other places.

Dean: Mentioned broadband frequently, linking it to health care, education, jobs and making sure people want to stay in rural areas.

Fitzhugh: Tennessee needs to be prepared for high speed rail across the state.

Lee: Wants Tennessee to lead in agriculture technology and be a leader in the emerging food industry.

Last question of the night, how do all the disparate topics connect?

Boyd: “I want to make Tennessee a state of opportunity for everybody.” Education and “great quality jobs” for everyone, not leaving rural areas or inner cities behind.

Dean: “I think it’s about the future. It’s about hope… “Whether it’s rural poverty or urban poverty we’re not going to ignore it.” He wants to address all the needs including education, health care, jobs.

Fitzhugh: “It’s people first. My motto has been people matter; progress for all. Tennessee always.” He wants good health care, good education and a good place to live for everyone.

Lee: “They are all connected because they impact every single person in the state.” He has a “desire to change” life for people in urban centers, rural areas and suburbs. •