Tennesseans rank honesty high in presidential race
- Tennesseans head to the polls Tuesday in the Democratic and Republican presidential primaries.
- In interviews with more than 60 voters, honesty among top traits.
- So is someone who can bring change and carry our promises — both big and small.
Jonathan Schmitt of Mt. Juliet wants a presidential candidate who is honest and who will focus on fixing the economy. He's voting for Donald Trump.
Leah Hasson of Brentwood also wants an honest candidate, one who will put the environment and education high on the priority list. She's voting for Hillary Clinton.
Luke Williams of Dickson wants a leader the public can trust. He's undecided, trying to pick "the lesser of two evils."
Voters in Middle Tennessee rank integrity and the ability to take action among their top priorities for the nation's next president, according to interviews with more than 60 voters across nine counties.
Those who were interviewed said they don't want a big talker who won't put words into action. They want someone who carries out promises big and small and who can bring change, according to the interviews. Several were dissatisfied with the leadership of President Barack Obama.
Tennesseans head to the polls Tuesday, the same day voters in 12 states pick their candidates for the Republican and Democratic presidential nominations. Super Tuesday primaries are the biggest test for hopefuls so far and can make or break candidates. More delegates are at stake than on any other day. As such, Democratic and Republican contenders made a flurry of campaign stops in the Volunteer State over the weekend and Monday.
Reporters for The Tennessean and TNMedia asked voters in nine Middle Tennessee counties — Davidson, Wilson, Williamson, Rutherford, Sumner, Robertson, Montgomery, Cheatham and Dickson — who they were voting for and why, the biggest challenge facing the nation and what the priorities should be for the next four years.
The youngest person interviewed was 19. The oldest 78. People were chosen randomly: outside libraries, at fast food restaurants, at grocery stores, over the telephone and more. They were roughly split between Republicans and Democrats. There were independents and those who identified their political affiliation in another way. Some were students. Others retired. Some owned their own businesses. Others worked in professional fields. Some were stay-at-home parents.
With only one exception, they said they planned to vote along party lines. Republicans interviewed want a candidate who will create jobs and lower the national debt. Democrats want a person who will focus on social issues, such as improving health care, the environment and education.
Voters said the top challenges facing the next president included addressing immigration issues and national security, as well as promoting economic and social equality. Several said they were looking for someone who would not be divisive, but would bring the country together.
Hillary Clinton makes closing arguments in Tennessee
Tennessee voters could help catapult Trump, Clinton
Jason Luntz, 41, was enjoying a grilled chicken sandwich at KnockOut Wings on Jefferson Street in Nashville on a recent afternoon. He said he wants a president who is concerned with the economically disenfranchised, but also aware of how race plays a part for those not achieving the American Dream.
And he’s OK with a presidential contender who has spent a life in politics. It's one of the reasons he voted for Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders. He was most adamant about one thing: “Don’t vote for Trump.”
Presley Hinkle, 21, has been registered to vote since she was 18 — thanks to her mother, Laurie, who showed up at Holt’s Hometown Foods in Ridgetop, Tenn., where Hinkle works, to sign up everyone who was 18.
Hinkle wants a candidate who takes issues that face younger Americans seriously. That’s why she plans to vote for Republican Marco Rubio.
“I think he’s more relatable to the younger generation," she said.
Hinkle, who is studying aesthetics at the Tennessee College of Applied Technology in Nashville, said she is concerned about the amount of debt that often accumulates to get a college education.
"I would like to see some options for students so they don’t have to come out of school with so much debt and student loans,” Hinkle said. “We have started making some headway with that, but I would like to see a little bigger dent in it.”
Kevin S. James, a 62-year-old retired truck driver from Murfreesboro, said he voted early for Republican Texas Sen. Ted Cruz. James said he worries about the economy and disagrees with Obamacare.
“I’ve been a Ted Cruz man since day one,” James said. “He knows the Constitution. I believe we should be living under the Constitution, but we’re not. I like Donald Trump’s spirit, and I like the things that he says he wants to do, but saying and doing are two different things.”
Schmitt, 43, owns A + Automotive Repair & Towing in Mt. Juliet. Working on a car on a recent morning, he said he likes Republican front-runner Trump's leadership abilities and believes honesty, goal setting and putting the people first are the most important qualities a president needs. The economy, ending free trade with China and strengthening American companies are the biggest challenges Schmitt sees for the next president.
Economic improvements crossed party lines for local voters, as did a need to elect someone who can work with both political parties and bring the country together, according to the interviews.
Clinton supporter Hasson, 32, owns a temporary tattoo company.
Stopped at The Well Coffeehouse on Old Hickory Boulevard in Brentwood with her two children in tow, she said she looked for a candidate who was not too liberal or too conservative. She wants a moderate. The environment and education are important to her.
"I have two young children, so education is a big focus for me," Hasson said as they played in the crowded coffee shop.
Williams, an independent who owns a small business, has not made up his mind on who to vote for Tuesday.
"I am very undecided on this," he said. "I don't believe we have a great group of people to choose from, so this year it feels as if though we are having to choose the between 'the lesser of two evils,' and I can't figure out who that is yet."
He's looking for a candidate who can rebuild trust with the American people.
"We have a government who the country is struggling to trust with our future," he said, "and that is a scary feeling for all of us."
Reach Stacey Barchenger at 615-726-8968 or on Twitter @sbarchenger.
About this story
This story was reported by Tim Adkins, Josh Arntz, John Bailey, Melanie Balakit, Scott Broden, Jill Cowan, Joel Ebert, Chris Gadd, Joey Garrison, Jason Gonzales, Ray Howze, Andy Humbles, Dessislava Yankova, Nicole Young and Ayrika Whitney. It was written by Stacey Barchenger.