State Representative Monty Fritts (R-Kingston) on Friday announced his candidacy to become Tennessee’s next governor, joining U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and U.S. Representative John Rose (R-TN-06) in the race for the Republican Party nomination.
Fritts first hinted at his candidacy in a Tuesday post to social media, when he claimed Governor Bill Lee has presided over “out of control budget growth” while allowing the state government to agitate “against the rights of Tennesseans.”
“We need LIBERTY & LESS GOVERNMENT in Tennessee. The Nashville establishment does not understand that concept,” wrote Fritts. “It is time for a change in Nashville. It is time for a leader who will work to secure your rights.”
Fritts announced his candidacy in a Friday appearance on SuperTalk 99.7 WTN, when told the station, “Tennessee is in trouble.”
He told host Chris Hand, “I start the application process now with 7 million people,” and added, “I’m running against what I think is an embedded political establishment.”
Fritts later highlighted the free contraceptives offered by the Tennessee Department of Health, including “emergency contraception,” under Lee’s administration.
“I think if you look at the website right now, you’ll see that the Department of Health in Tennessee issues contraception to anybody who comes in, even minors, and you’re paying for it,” said Fritts. “I’m not a doctor, but I can read that they prevent ovulation or prevent implementation, and I know when you that pull on that string, it means that we’re killing baby, in my worldview, that when conception occurs, there’s life.”
He later told Hand, “The leadership in Nashville has forgotten two things: That they are bound by the Constitution just like I am, and number two, that they work for you,” and said he would “recalibrate” the state government through a shakeup at the capital.
“One of the ways we’re gonna fix that, I’m gonna recalibrate it, is some of the people that have been arguing against your rights, some of the people that have been slithering down the halls of Cordell Hall building and sitting in committees and arguing against your gun rights or property rights, they’re going to be reassigned pretty quickly and given an opportunity to work on the governor’s helpline,” said Fritts.
In a post to the social media platform X, Fritts additionally suggested Tennessee should drop the emergency powers it used during the COVID-19 pandemic, calling them a constitutional violation.
Fritts’ entrance to the race comes about a month after polling showed Blackburn with a 52-point lead over Rose. She declared her candidacy in August, while Rose announced in March.
Watch Fritts’ full appearance on 99.7 WTN:
– – –
Tom Pappert is the lead reporter for The Tennessee Star, and also reports for The Pennsylvania Daily Star and The Arizona Sun Times. Follow Tom on X/Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Monty Fritts” by Monty Fritts.
After surviving two “outsider” wealthy and liberal businessmen who essentially bought the governorship, I think I am ready to give a try to a politician. I am certainly not a fan of “I never met a camera I did not like” Blackburn who makes a lot of noise but never seems to get anything of substance done. Rose is my current representative. He seems to be okay, but I would not classify him as showing a strongly conservative posture. Maybe this guy from Kingston is the answer. I will certainly give him a thorough look.
This man will be a legend as Governor!
The legislature destroyed the partisan nomination process in Tennessee. They are now simply coronations. Senator Blackburn needs to finish her term in Washington.