Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jason Martin on healthcare costs, more at UT Southern

The race for governor and other respective elections is fast approaching, with early voting in Tennessee kicking off Friday as candidates ramp up their campaign trails.

In Pulaski, UT Southern college hosted a Q&A with upcoming candidates, which included gubernatorial Democratic candidate Jason Martin and U.S. House District 4 Democratic candidates Wayne Steele and Arnold J. White.

Due to scheduling conflicts, only Martin, one of three Democratic candidates for governor, was present. Memphis Councilman JB Smiley had a competing event, while Dr. Carnita Atwater, also of Memphis, last attended one of the forums in her home city on June 16.

Incumbent Rep. Scott DesJarlais, unopposed in the Republican primary, confirmed he would not attend due to commitments in Congress.

The event was final of six forums organized by the USA TODAY Network Tennessee in partnership with the University of Tennessee system and Lipscomb University. Speakers covered various topics such as the state and national governments' approach to issues like climate change, healthcare, abortion, and school funding, among other topics.

Most of all, the candidates rallied what they consider "a need for changes among the community's leaders."

Tennessee early voting: Early voting in Tennessee Aug. 4 elections starts Friday. Here's what you need to know

Replay: Governor and congressional candidate forum at University of Tennessee Southern

High cost of health care detrimental

When it comes to access to healthcare and its high costs, Martin, a doctor, said he has first-hand experience of patients choosing death over lack of proper treatment, simply because of an inability to pay.

"That person did not want to saddle their family with their debt," Martin said of a patient he treated. "She chose to not go down that path and died under my watch, and that weighs heavily on me. That happens all the time in the state of Tennessee."

Martin added that Tennessee, statistically, is No. 1 in the nation for hospitals closing per capita, which he believes leads to other local businesses shutting down, decreased job growth and a diminished quality of life for citizens.

This has also been a problem primarily spread within the state's rural communities.

"When the hospitals go, the businesses go," Martin said. "We've heard example after example where people tell us 'the factory left, or the shop left because the closest hospital is 95 miles away.' A fifth of our counties don't even have an ER, and a huge fraction of our counties don't have access to a gynecologist or obstetrician, which is probably why we are 11th highest in the nation for infant mortality."

Investing in education for career success

When it comes to education, jobs and income inequality in the midst of rising prices for housing, gas and shopping at a grocery store, Martin stressed the importance of investing in education.

"If you can get one child in a steady career position, it can change the trajectory of that family for decades ... and so we need to invest in vocational programs," Martin said. "The number of kids going to two and four-year colleges as a percentage is decreasing over time. Part of that is that student debt is outrageous, and I'm 47 years old still paying my student loans off. So, I understand."

Support for legalization of cannabis

Martin also stressed his support for the legalization of cannabis, which he believes will not only serve as a valuable tax source, but also provide medical relief for patients wishing to not rely on pharmaceutical drugs. It could also become as a major benefit to rural Tennesseans.

"This could be an opportunity for rural Tennessee, and I know some people might get uncomfortable talking about it, but we need to just disarm it. It's something that's been done by about 19 other states," Martin said.

"Let's take that money and disperse it within distressed counties, or have an opportunity to help our farmers save their family farm. Let's use law enforcement resources where they can be more appropriately applies, or to our veterans suffering from PTSD or chronic pain, and give them an alternative that is regulated. Let's take away power from the cartels, because there are so many reasons why we need to do this, and can be a huge benefit to rural Tennessee."

U.S. House District 4

Pulaski resides in the states District 4, which has been overseen by Republican Rep. Scott DesJarlais since 2011.

Possible opponents, Steele and White, spoke Thursday about state issues, and changes each hope to see made if elected into the District 4 seat.

Steele, who resides in Fayetteville, Tennessee and is a 12-year licensed massage therapist, said his career experience has allowed him to interact with people from all walks of life, from the poor to the rich, rural citizens or those from larger metropolitan areas.

"I've worked with enough people in the rural areas to the metropolitan areas to know what the issues are, what the issues are that we live with," Steele said. "Our country has come to tear each other apart ... and I've not done that."

White, a Smyrna resident and retired 36-year employee of BMS Bridgestone, Firestone and other associated jobs, said he doesn't consider himself a politician, but that "might be a good thing." He also has a few ideas on how to tackle rising gas prices, such as an electric car that doesn't run on a battery.

"You can power them by compressed air," White said. "The most expensive part on an EV is the batteries, and if you can eliminate that you can drop the cost by about 20%, maybe 30% or more. Imagine never having to buy gas again, never having to pay out thousands of dollars to replace your batteries when they are worn out."

Both candidates were in support to codify rights in Tennessee, following the recent overturning of Roe v. Wade, affecting access to abortions in Tennessee.

White said his decision was based on abortion rights primarily affecting the poor.

"I would vote 'yes' to codify, and I believe that every woman has a right to make that decision on her own with her doctor," White said. "These laws that are outlawing abortion and outlawing choice are only affecting the poor women."

For Steele, he agrees to vote on behalf of codifying abortion rights in the state. The main issue, he said, is that citizens must think in "today's terms" and the kinds of lawsuits and potential litigation that could arise from outlawing it.

"The reality is that if we pass that in the House and Senate, and the President signs it, then the red states that have made abortion virtually illegal are just going to file a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of this new federal law," Steele said. "My solution to this is a constitutional law amendment, an equal rights amendment and codifying abortion into the Constitution."

Early voting began Friday and will continue through Saturday, July 30. In Maury County, early voting will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday and 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays at the Maury County Election Commission, 1207 Tradewinds Drive.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Herald: UT Southern hosts Democratic gubernatorial and District 4 candidates