DALTON, Ga. — Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle shared a bit of his life story during a campaign stop at the Oakwood Cafe in downtown Dalton on Friday morning, telling the gathering of supporters that he was raised by a single mother who worked two jobs to support their family.

Now, after serving as Georgia’s lieutenant governor under two governors, Cagle is making a run at the top spot. He said his mother taught him the value of faith and hard work, and that she helped pave a way for him to be where he is now.

“I’m not the guy who was supposed to grow up to be the lieutenant governor of the state, or the next governor of the state, but that’s what’s possible in Georgia, right?” Cagle said. “No matter where you come from, no matter your circumstances, you can end up exactly where you want to. That is what this country and what this state is all about.”

Cagle is on the ballot for the May 22 Republican primary with combat veteran and former state senator Hunter Hill of Marietta, restaurant owner Eddie Hayes of Watkinsville, Secretary of State Brian Kemp, businessman Clay Tippins of Atlanta and state Sen. Michael Williams of Cumming. If no candidate receives more than 50 percent of the vote, there will be a July runoff between the top two vote-getters. Early voting began on Monday.

Cagle touted energy tax cuts on manufacturers, tax incentives for the movie industry, economic and job growth, a rising gross domestic product and the creation of career academies as successes of his past eight years in office. He noted that he has been in office during a time of crisis following the economic recession.

Those challenges as well as those victories are what will make him a good governor, he said, adding that his 32 years of experience in the business world will be a useful asset.

“By virtue of working with two governors, I know how to work through complex public policy issues, but I also know how to deal with economic development opportunities that exist within our state,” Cagle said. “When I was in business for all these years, 32 years now, I had a simple theory. I wanted to go out to find somebody who had done it before and could do it again, and we’re in that position, obviously, to be able to continue this momentum as a state to grow.”

He said his main focus will be workforce development, and that the best place to begin improving that is at the high school level, as students need more opportunities to follow paths that don’t directly lead to four-year colleges. He said career academies meet this need and that he wants all students in Georgia to have access to schools that allow them to explore as many as 40 technical fields and trades.

“We’ve sold, really, a false narrative, to our kids, to say that every educational system needs to be designed to send every kid off to get a liberal arts, four-year degree. And there’s nothing wrong with a liberal arts, four-year degree, but … about 75,000 open jobs that are available right now within the state, 25 percent need a four-year degree. Seventy-five percent of those jobs need an industry certification or a two-year degree from our technical college,” said Cagle.

He said career academies create a pipeline for students to learn what they want to do and then enter the workforce trained and ready to go with good-paying jobs and zero debt. He said the programs have shown great success and other states are taking notice.

But most importantly, he said, that allows young adults to have good careers they enjoy that also allow them to provide for a family. More good-paying jobs lead to less crime and fewer people needing to seek government assistance. He said he believes in a safety net for society, but it shouldn’t become a hammock for people to rest on, but rather a springboard that lifts them up to greater economic prosperity.

“That’s what I want to create, that rising tide that lifts all boats,” he said.

Cagle said because of his own humble upbringing, Georgia’s children living in poverty are of special interest to him. He said more mentoring, more food banks and more focus on early education are ways to help people out.

“I understand what that life is like. I was raised by a single mother. My dad left when I was 3. The early years were spent in a little single-wide trailer. And I can tell you, I remember seeing mom kneel by her bed, saying her prayers and asking for God’s provision for us. She didn’t just teach me the value of faith, she demonstrated it in my life every day. She also taught me the value of hard work, because she worked two jobs just to make ends meet,” said Cagle.

Dianne Putnam, chairman of the Whitfield County GOP, said she was glad to get to hear all the things Cagle wants to focus on, and especially that one of those targets is job creation.

“It was very encouraging to hear his vision of job growth and manufacturing, to pursue and expand those to even greater levels in the state of Georgia,” said Putnam.

IF YOU GO

What: The Whitfield County GOP hosts gubernatorial candidates Hunter Hill and Michael Williams, as well as David Belle Isle, who is running for secretary of state.

When: Tuesday, gather at 6:30 p.m. for refreshments, the meeting starts at 7 p.m.

Where: 505 Benjamin Way, Suite 310