Jason Martin in 2022 TN Governor's race
On Abortion:
Protect health and reproductive rights of women
Protecting the health and reproductive rights of women across the state is not just important, but the right thing to do. There are widespread attacks on women's rights and as a physician, it is important to me that we make sure women have full control
over their reproductive rights. We need to make sure that women are supported in their decisions, that mothers are supported with childcare and healthcare, and that we make sure we do not judge anyone for the choices they make.
Source: 2022 Tennessee Governor campaign website MartinForTN.com
Aug 7, 2022
On Budget & Economy:
Work with Feds to get tax dollars for infrastructure repair
Tennessee needs high quality infrastructure in the form of highways, bridges, sewer and stormwater systems, roads and universal broadband. Our roads and bridges are in need of repair and help, and tens of thousands of Tennesseans are willing to answer
the call to make that happen. We need to make sure that Tennessee can work with any administration to fix this problem. I will make sure we bring back the nearly eight billion of our tax dollars to improve our communities.
Source: 2022 Tennessee Governor campaign website MartinForTN.com
Aug 7, 2022
On Civil Rights:
We need to protect our LGBTQIA+ Tennesseans
One of the primary responsibilities of government is to protect those who need protecting and provide a voice to those who feel silenced. We need to make sure that we protect our LGBTQIA+ Tennesseans. These hard working, integral
members of our communities have often been silenced and marginalized, and under my administration I will make sure that they are valued and heard. There is more than one type of family, and they all have love.
Source: 2022 Tennessee Governor campaign website MartinForTN.com
Aug 7, 2022
On Crime:
Our criminal justice system is broken
Our criminal justice system is broken. We need to take serious steps to make sure communities feel safe and that individuals are treated fairly. This means making sure that police departments have the right resources to address the situations they may
face. It means reducing the sentences for non-violent drug offenders. It means that we use diversionary courts when we can, and find ways to rehabilitate and reintegrate, and not immediately push for mandatory minimum sentences.
Source: 2022 Tennessee Governor campaign website MartinForTN.com
Aug 7, 2022
On Drugs:
Pass cannabis for recreational use. Period
Pass cannabis for recreational use. Period. Decriminalize small drug offenses. This is a bipartisan issue, and as a governor for all Tennesseans, I will make sure that we do not lag behind on this issue. I want to legalize marijuana as 15 states have
already done. Opening up the cannabis market will also bring millions of dollars to communities across the state, allow farmers to take part in this lucrative sector, and employ thousands across this state in this new market.
Source: 2022 Tennessee Governor campaign website MartinForTN.com
Aug 7, 2022
On Education:
Make sure that no school in Tennessee is underfunded
Tennessee ranks 45th in the nation in per-pupil spending, and has received an 'F' in school funding. On average, we don't spend nearly as much on our schools as other states in our region. We need a better way to fund our schools, taking into
account the different economies across communities and the different resources that are needed in each school district. We need to reevaluate the Basic Education Program, and make sure that going forward, no school in Tennessee is underfunded.
Source: 2022 Tennessee Governor campaign website MartinForTN.com
Aug 7, 2022
On Education:
Support trade and vocational schools, technical training
Many Tennesseans also look to trade and vocational schools, training programs and apprenticeships, and 2- and 4-year colleges and universities to achieve their goals. This means increased incentives for trade programs, certifications, future nurses and
healthcare workers, and technical training for a more technologically competitive workforce. It also means strengthening our Historical Black Colleges and Universities system so that every single student has access to the same opportunities.
Source: 2022 Tennessee Governor campaign website MartinForTN.com
Aug 7, 2022
On Energy & Oil:
Make sure our state is at the forefront of green technology
Tennessee is the most beautiful state in the nation, and we need to make sure that future generations can enjoy the outdoors as we have, while we protect our environment. Our timber industry and other businesses are looking for responsible environmental
policies. That means focusing on conservation and growing an economy that reflects environmental stewardship. That economy is also where we can be leaders, and make sure that our state is at the forefront of green technology.
Source: 2022 Tennessee Governor campaign website MartinForTN.com
Aug 7, 2022
On Families & Children:
Quality and affordable childcare, universal pre-K
Families are what make Tennessee great and are what we need to focus on if we want to do better. This means universal pre-K so every child has equal access to the education system. We also need to make sure that parents are able to work while knowing
that their children are looked after in a safe and responsible manner. When I am governor, I will make sure all parents have access to quality and affordable childcare--something that will help our children and our economy.
Source: 2022 Tennessee Governor campaign website MartinForTN.com
Aug 7, 2022
On Government Reform:
Ensure every eligible voter can access the ballot box
As governor, I will ensure every eligible voter can access the ballot box and have a say in the future of our state. I support same day registration and voting and expanding the types of identification required to register. I believe that we should
expand polling locations to make sure that people can cast their ballot conveniently, and during a busy workday. This includes polling locations on college campuses and encouraging high schoolers who turn 18 to register.
Source: 2022 Tennessee Governor campaign website MartinForTN.com
Aug 7, 2022
On Gun Control:
Uphold 2nd Amendment rights; support bipartisan gun laws
We need to make sure that we protect our children and communities from gun violence, while also upholding our second amendment rights. The overwhelming majority of Tennesseans are responsible gun owners, and as such, can support
bipartisan efforts to keep guns out of the hands of violent criminals and those who commit domestic violence. We can make sure we continue the traditions of safe gun ownership and safeguarding our society that we have all grown up with.
Source: 2022 Tennessee Governor campaign website MartinForTN.com
Aug 7, 2022
On Gun Control:
Repeal permitless carry; don't penalize responsible owners
Similarly, we need to make sure that schools have the resources necessary to identify people who need help before they take the next step to do harm. Part of this is to repeal
permitless carry, and use existing regulation to make sure we don't penalize responsible gun owners while still keeping our state safe.
Source: 2022 Tennessee Governor campaign website MartinForTN.com
Aug 7, 2022
On Health Care:
Led fight for Tennessee's healthcare in rural communities
During Dr. Martin's time at Nashville General it became quickly apparent to him that while families in Tennessee are working hard, our elected officials are working harder against them. After twelve rural hospitals closed in Tennessee,
Dr. Martin went on to lead the fight for Tennessee's healthcare in our rural communities.We have already paid our fair share to fund Medicaid but we have a governor who refuses to send that money back to our communities.
Medicaid expansion is not just something we have already paid for but is necessary to make sure our state can thrive. We could cover as many as 400,000 more working Tennesseans by fully participating in the program.
Getting back our hard earned Medicaid dollars would help reestablish some of our many closed hospitals, emergency rooms and clinics.
Source: 2022 Tennessee Governor campaign website MartinForTN.com
Aug 7, 2022
On Immigration:
Provide support for our immigrant and refugee communities
Tennesseans value people and understand that our differences are what make us better and stronger.
We must do more to provide support for our immigrant and refugee communities, not just because it's the right thing to do, but because these newer Tennesseans bring with them skills and culture that add to our vibrant and beautiful state.
Source: 2022 Tennessee Governor campaign website MartinForTN.com
Aug 7, 2022
On Jobs:
Oppose "right to work" amendment to state constitution
Organized labor is vital to protecting our workers. Organized labor has created benefits for all of us, including safe work environments, reasonable work expectations, and pay commensurate with the work that we do. We need to make sure that
Tennessee is a place that values workers, while also being attractive to all companies. As governor, I will oppose the "right to work" amendment to the state constitution.
Source: 2022 Tennessee Governor campaign website MartinForTN.com
Aug 7, 2022
On Principles & Values:
Instilled values of hard work, family, faith, and community
He was a latch key kid and his parents and step-parents worked hard every single day. While they labored hard to provide for Jason, his many aunts, uncles, and grandparents helped to raise him. Whether it was catching bream in the local watering hole
with his PawPaw, shucking corn from his aunt's garden to feed the family, or helping his Nana manage the house; it was with his family that Dr. Martin was instilled with the values of hard work, family, faith, and community.
Source: 2022 Tennessee Governor campaign website MartinForTN.com
Aug 7, 2022
On Budget & Economy:
Legalized cannabis would bring in millions in tax revenue
We need to legalize cannabis for medical and recreational use. We could use the hundreds of millions of dollars of tax revenue from this regulated market to support causes like education, healthcare, and infrastructure. We should stop locking up
primarily Black and Brown Tennesseans for small cannabis drug offenses and use those law enforcement resources more appropriately. We should give our farmers a new crop to save the family farm.
Source: WTVF on 2022 Tennessee Gubernatorial race
Jul 18, 2022
On Health Care:
We are breaking our families with medical debt
We must expand Medicaid. Medicaid expansion not only is the right thing to do to take care of our brothers and sisters here in Tennessee, it's the right thing to do economically. Not expanding Medicaid has contributed to being #1 in the nation in
hospital closures per capita and number on in the nation in medical bankruptcies per capita--we are breaking our families with medical debt. With Medicaid expansion, we could decrease the uninsured in Tennessee by 50%.
Source: WTVF on 2022 Tennessee Gubernatorial race
Jul 18, 2022
On Abortion:
Stop treating women like second-class citizens
Martin said the state's abortion law was "radical" because it doesn't have a clear exemption if the mother's life is endangered. "I don't know of anyone who wants to see more abortions," Martin said. "But, I know thousands of people who don't want
government involved in that decision. I think that's where the majority of Tennessean's land. We need to stop treating women like second-class citizens and keep government out of the doctor's office."
Source: The Tennessean on 2022 Tennessee Gubernatorial race
Jul 10, 2022
On Budget & Economy:
GOP building up state cash reserves with no plans for it
He said Lee and Republicans have been building up the state's cash reserves while having no plans to address many of the key problems facing Tennesseans, like teacher shortages and access to health care and broadband in rural parts of the state. "It's
very important to be fiscally responsible and to have a rainy day fund," Martin said. "I wish they could be as proud of fully resourced schools, of access to quality health care and broadband internet as they are of that pile of money."
Source: The Tennessean on 2022 Tennessee Gubernatorial race
Jul 10, 2022
On Education:
Opposed state's school voucher program
On education, Martin is opposed to Lee's school voucher program, which was blocked by a judge last year. The program would have allowed parents to send children to private schools using public money in Davidson and Shelby counties.
Martin said he wants to fully fund public schools and improve the quality of education. Martin's three daughters all go to a private school. When asked, he said he chose the school because of its diversity and proximity to his home.
Source: The Tennessean on 2022 Tennessee Gubernatorial race
Aug 23, 2021
On Principles & Values:
Thinks of himself a moderate "peacemaker," less red and blue
Compared to most progressive Democrats, Martin thinks of himself a moderate "peacemaker." "You can't have compromise if you don't have difference," he said. "How can we lower the tone of the political rhetoric?
How can we make it more purple and less red and blue?" With a difficult path ahead, Martin said he will run a campaign less focused on partisan differences but more on "common ground."
Source: The Tennessean on 2022 Tennessee Gubernatorial race
Aug 23, 2021
Page last updated: Sep 23, 2022