(The Center Square) – Rep. Monty Fritts has entered the race to be the next Tennessee governor.
Fritts, R-Kingston, said on his campaign website that his platform included suspending what he calls “fiscally irresponsible, unconstitutional voucher programs.” He was one of just a handful of Republican lawmakers who voted against the Education Freedom Scholarships during a special session in January.
Other priorities are cutting government waste, protecting property rights and “safeguarding innocent life from conception,” according to his website.
Fritts joins U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, who said on Aug. 6 she would run for the state’s top office. U.S. Rep. John Rose announced his intentions to run in June.
Gov. Bill Lee is term-limited and cannot run again.
An August poll by the Beacon Center of Tennessee showed Blackburn is leading Rose 66%-14%. A generic Democratic candidate, as the poll called it, would trail either Republican by 19%.
Qualifying for the race does not begin until the second Tuesday of March 2026.
