Shining a light on education & government in TennesseeShining a light on education & government in TennesseeState Representative, District 32 · Kingston, Roane County
"We cannot keep writing blank checks for a program with no accountability. Tennessee taxpayers deserve to know where their money is going."
"Liberty & Less Government."
"The Lord has placed a burden on my heart for Tennessee."
Political insiders consider Monty Fritts to be a long shot in the 2026 Republican governor's primary, but he's built a coalition of committed supporters. The two-term state representative from Kingston entered the race in September 2025 with $11,000 in his campaign account, no statewide name recognition, and a message that his opponents Marsha Blackburn and John Rose are part of the very "Nashville establishment" that he believes has failed Tennessee.
Born in Rockwood, Tennessee on December 10, 1963, Fritts grew up in East Tennessee's Roane County. He earned a B.S. in Business and Chemistry and an M.A. in Theological Studies from Liberty University, followed by an MBA from the University of Tennessee in 2011. He served in the Tennessee Army National Guard and spent more than two decades in the nuclear industry at the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge.
Fritts won his House District 32 seat in 2022, defeating four opponents in the Republican primary before beating Democrat Jan Hahn in the general election. He was re-elected in 2024 without a Republican primary challenger. He is not seeking re-election to his House seat — no Republican filed to replace him.
His campaign slogan — "Liberty & Less Government" — captures his pitch: that Tennessee's budget has grown 59% in six years under Governor Lee, that the state's political class has become beholden to special interests, and that Tennesseans deserve a governor who answers to the Constitution and to God, not to lobbyists and PACs.
He has acknowledged he doesn't have the "$25 million it could take to win" and that the "prideful and arrogant class" in Nashville will try to destroy his movement. His campaign funds through individual donations only, refusing PAC money entirely.
Campaign website: fritts4tn.com
Candidate for Governor. Announced September 5, 2025 at Washington County GOP's "Trump Day dinner." Running as anti-establishment grassroots conservative.
Tennessee House of Representatives, District 32. Represents parts of Loudon and Roane counties. Not seeking re-election.
Won Republican Primary & General Election. Defeated 4 primary opponents, then Democrat Jan Hahn. Re-elected 2024 vs. Ali Simpson.
Nuclear Industry / Federal Program Manager. 20+ years at Y-12 National Security Complex, Oak Ridge. DOE federal program manager.
Tennessee Army National Guard. Business Development / Real Estate / Carpentry.
Criticizes 59% budget growth under Gov. Lee. Wants to "recalibrate" state government to fund only core constitutional functions.
Signature populist issue. Would eliminate state's 4% sales tax on groceries.
Would roll back property tax assessments to 2015 appraisal levels.
Supports constitutional carry without permits. Wants Tennessee to be "arsenal of the Republic."
Would suspend or end the Education Freedom Scholarship program.
Would challenge Plyler v. Doe to deny public school enrollment to children without citizenship documentation.
On January 29, 2026, a clip from a Christian nationalist podcast went viral. Fritts called for capital punishment for parents, guardians, and medical professionals connected to gender-affirming care for minors. He stated the position "aligns with scripture." Widespread national condemnation. Has not retracted.
Leaked audio from the August 2025 Washington County GOP "God, Guns, and Guts" event revealed Fritts calling for capital punishment for individuals who have had or provided abortions.
Bill was widely mocked nationally as rooted in conspiracy theory. Became a punchline for late-night comedy.
Weeks after the deadly Covenant School shooting in Nashville, Fritts voted to advance a bill allowing teachers to carry firearms in schools.
Fritts entered the race with $11,000 in his campaign account — more than 500 times less than John Rose's $5.86M. He has pledged to accept only individual donations, refusing PAC money entirely. His "grassroots bet" relies on volunteer networks: "tell 10 of your friends and ask them to tell 10 of their friends." He has acknowledged the financial reality, saying he doesn't have the "$25 million it could take to win."
Source: Tennessee Registry of Election Finance. See full finance breakdown →
Fritts' education positions are unusual for a Republican gubernatorial candidate — he is the only GOP contender who opposes the Education Freedom Scholarship and who has voted to block its expansion. His stance is rooted in constitutional originalism and fiscal conservatism rather than a progressive philosophy, but the practical effect puts him closer to public school advocates than to his own party's leadership.
Voted against Gov. Lee's program. Calls it "fiscally irresponsible" and "unconstitutional" — citing Article XI, Section 12 of the Tennessee Constitution. Pledges to suspend or end the program if elected.
“We cannot keep writing blank checks for a program with no accountability.”TNFirefly, Sep 2025
Supports right of parents to homeschool or send children to private school — but draws the line at taxpayer funding for private schools.
Only lawmaker to vote against continuing TDOE. Criticized "over-emphasis on standardized testing that seems to diminish educator evaluation."
Wants to challenge the 1982 Supreme Court ruling requiring public schools to educate children regardless of immigration status. One of the most aggressive anti-immigration education positions in the 2026 field.
Has not released specific proposals. Education platform is primarily defined by opposition to EFS.
Fritts occupies the rarest position in Tennessee Republican politics: a fiscal conservative who opposes the party's signature education program. His EFS opposition is constitutionally grounded, not progressive, and he couples it with some of the most aggressive social conservative positions in the field. For public school advocates, he's an unlikely ally on vouchers — but his other education positions (challenging Plyler v. Doe, voting to arm teachers) make him a complicated one.
Founder, Tennessee Stands
“One of the most compelling cases for Governor.”
State Rep., Chapel Hill (R)
“A God-fearing patriot.”
State Rep., Dickson (R)
Gun rights organization
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About this tracker
This tracker is produced by The Tennessee Firefly, an independent, nonpartisan news outlet covering education and government in Tennessee. We don't endorse candidates. We don't take political ads. We follow the money, the policy, and the people who shape your kids' schools. All data comes from official filings, verified reporting, and on-the-record sources. Last updated March 17, 2026.