Monty Fritts

Sen. Marsha Blackburn's internal poll shows her leading the Tennessee Republican gubernatorial primary by 17 points, while an independent poll indicates a narrower gap. The conflicting results highlight shifting dynamics in the race as both candidates intensify campaign efforts.

Sen. Marsha Blackburn's internal poll shows a 17-point lead in the Tennessee Republican governor's race, conflicting with a Rose-positive poll from OnMessage Public Strategies. Blackburn leads with 42%, John Rose with 25%, and Monty Fritts with 22% in her campaign's survey, while OnMessage reported Blackburn at 34.5%, Rose at 31%, and Fritts at 25.6%. Both polls surveyed 800-850 likely Republican voters with a 3.5% margin of error.

Congressman John Rose and State Representative Monty Fritts are seeking the Republican nomination for Tennessee governor, while U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn declined an interview and avoided debates. Rose criticized Blackburn's lack of engagement, highlighting a close race and focusing on affordability and school voucher program reforms. Fritts emphasized ending the sales tax on groceries and grassroots support.

Tennessee’s primary election on August 6 includes races for governor, U.S. Senate, U.S. House seats, and state legislative positions. Governor Bill Lee cannot run due to term limits, and Republican candidates for governor include Marsha Blackburn, John Rose, and Monty Fritts. The article outlines key races and candidate priorities.

Tennessee's primary election is scheduled for August 6, covering races for governor, U.S. Senate, U.S. House seats (districts 4, 5, 6, 7, and 9), and state Senate and House. Republican candidates for governor include Marsha Blackburn, John Rose, and Monty Fritts, each with distinct professional backgrounds and policy priorities.

A WSMV4 investigation finds that Tennessee's Republican gubernatorial candidates — Marsha Blackburn, John Rose, and Monty Fritts — have made campaign promises on immigration, education, foreign land ownership, and religious freedom that exceed the legal authority of the governor's office. The analysis highlights that implementing these proposals would require federal action, state legislative approval, or independent board decisions.

A Tennessee Republican candidate for governor, Monty Fritts, stated he would work to ban mosques and non-Christian religions like Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism if elected. He argued the First Amendment does not prohibit states from doing so, claiming Islam is a political movement incompatible with the U.S. and Tennessee Constitutions.

A Tennessee state representative running for governor stated he would ban mosques and non-Christian religions like Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism, arguing the First Amendment does not prohibit states from doing so. The candidate, Monty Fritts, claims Islam is a political movement incompatible with the U.S. and Tennessee constitutions and cited a spiritual calling for entering the race.

New polls indicate Senator Marsha Blackburn's lead in the Tennessee Republican gubernatorial primary is narrowing, with Congressman John Rose and State Rep. Monty Fritts gaining ground. Blackburn's campaign disputes the results, citing conflicting internal polling showing a larger lead, while external factors like Rose's campaign spending and Blackburn's public challenges are cited as influencing the race.

Tennessee state representative Monty Fritts, a Republican candidate for governor, plans to ban non-Christian religions including Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism if elected, arguing the First Amendment allows states to do so. The proposal conflicts with U.S. constitutional protections and would affect tens of thousands of Tennesseans, with the Tennessee primary election on August 6.

Republican gubernatorial candidates Marsha Blackburn, Monty Fritts, and John Rose discussed their plans for addressing Tennessee voters' top concerns, including public education and crime. Blackburn supports school choice, Fritts opposes the school voucher program, and Rose emphasizes ensuring the program benefits lower-income families. The primary election is scheduled for August 6.

The deadline for Tennessee voters to request absentee ballots for the August 6 primary election is Monday, July 27. Early voting is underway until August 1, with new early voting sites added in Davidson County. The primary includes a Republican gubernatorial race and challenges to Sen. Bill Hagerty.

Tennessee Republican gubernatorial candidates have passed limited legislation during their tenures. State Rep. Monty Fritts sponsored a controversial 'chemtrails' bill criticized as 'nonsense,' while U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn co-sponsored a bill linked to opioid distribution. U.S. Rep. John Rose proposed repealing a provision allowing senators to sue the government over FBI data subpoenas.

Over 75,000 Tennessee voters cast ballots in the first two days of early voting for the August primary election, a 47% increase from 2022. The election includes competitive primaries for an open governor's seat and newly redrawn congressional districts, with notable Democratic primary ballot activity in Shelby and Davidson counties.

U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn avoids debates in the Republican gubernatorial primary while hosting a post-election fundraiser in Atlanta. Her campaign donated $4.8 million to a dark-money group targeting Rep. John Rose, and a separate group criticizes her fundraising practices. Blackburn claims conservative unity is more important than debates ahead of the August 6 primary.

The article lists candidates for governor in the Aug. 6 primaries and provides details on early voting dates and a How to Vote guide. Candidates include Marsha Blackburn, Monty Fritts, John Rose, Carnita Atwater, Tim Cyr, Jerri Green, Adam ‘Ditch’ Kurtz, and Kevin Lee McCants.

Tennessee's top Republican gubernatorial candidates differ on expanding private-school voucher programs. State Rep. Monty Fritts opposes expansion, citing constitutional concerns, while U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn supports it and Rep. John Rose emphasizes transparency. The state currently invests $310 million in voucher programs serving 40,000 students.

Marsha Blackburn, a Republican candidate for Tennessee governor, is leading in polls and fundraising but has refused to debate opponents. Her campaign strategy includes avoiding debates and surveys, which analysts suggest is common for frontrunners. John Rose and Monty Fritts are her primary challengers, with Blackburn raising significantly more out-of-state funds.

Tennessee Republican gubernatorial candidates Marsha Blackburn and John Rose disagree on death penalty methods, with Blackburn advocating for reinstating the electric chair and Rose supporting lethal injection. The state allows death row inmates to request electrocution if lethal injection drugs are unavailable, and recent issues with an execution protocol have sparked debate.

Sen. Marsha Blackburn avoided questions about debating Republican gubernatorial candidates, claiming she has participated in 'lots of forums' with them. Her opponents, Monty Fritts and John Rose, disputed this, stating no public forums have occurred since she announced her candidacy. Blackburn's campaign cited private events and a January town hall, but opponents highlighted these lacked debate elements and excluded them.

NewsChannel 5 is hosting a Tennessee GOP Gubernatorial Debate on July 20th at Cumberland University. The race for governor includes U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn, Congressman John Rose, and State Representative Monty Fritts, with Blackburn holding a 15-point lead in a recent poll. A debate invitation remains pending for Blackburn.

Dane Chisholm, a Tennessee man with antisemitic and racist views who admires Adolf Hitler, is featured in campaign videos for Republican gubernatorial candidate Monty Fritts. Chisholm, a volunteer for Fritts' Christian nationalist campaign, has made controversial statements including calling Jews a malevolent force and comparing Hitler to Jesus, and he wears an America First cap linked to white nationalist Nicholas J. Fuentes.

Tennessee's top Republican gubernatorial candidates—Marsha Blackburn, Monty Fritts, and John Rose—have not held a joint debate, with Fritts urging a forum to address issues directly. Blackburn faces criticism for avoiding debates, while Rose's campaign manager calls for open discussions and highlights Rose's willingness to engage.