12/01/2025
Debunking the 'Experience' Myth: Why Monty Fritts is the True Liberty Champion for Tennessee Governor
In the race for the 2026 Republican nomination for Tennessee governor, establishment favorites Marsha Blackburn and John Rose are often touted for their "experience" in Washington. But let's cut through the hype: Their long tenures in Congress haven't protected Tennesseans' liberties or reined in the federal government's reckless spending. Instead, their records show complicity in policies that have ballooned the national debt to $38 trillion while eroding individual freedoms. Meanwhile, Monty Fritts, with his relatively short time in elected office as a state representative, brings a fresh commitment to liberty backed by proven leadership in the military and private sector. Experience isn't about years served—it's about results. And Fritts delivers where Blackburn and Rose have fallen short.
“Experienced” Marsha Blackburn: Experience That Enabled Debt and Surveillance Overreach
Blackburn's nearly two decades in Congress, including her time as a House member and now as a senator, are often highlighted as assets. But this "experience" has coincided with—and contributed to—explosive federal debt growth and encroachments on personal liberties.
Take the national debt: Blackburn voted in favor of the CARES Act in 2020, a $2.2 trillion spending package that provided COVID-19 relief but also added massively to the debt without sufficient offsets or reforms. This bill alone helped propel the debt toward its current $38 trillion mark, funding everything from corporate bailouts to unchecked government expansion. While she later opposed some spending measures, like the 2023 Consolidated Appropriations Act, her support for CARES exemplifies how her experience led to fiscal irresponsibility rather than restraint. She also voted against the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023, a debt ceiling deal that included modest spending caps, but her overall record shows a pattern of allowing debt to spiral under Republican and Democratic administrations alike.
On liberty, Blackburn's experience has been even more troubling. She has been a leading sponsor of the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), reintroduced in 2025, which critics argue imposes government-mandated content moderation and surveillance on online platforms under the guise of protecting children. This bill could lead to widespread censorship, forcing tech companies to scan user data and suppress speech, directly usurping First Amendment freedoms. Additionally, Blackburn has expressed support for robust national security measures, including aspects of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), which has been abused for warrantless surveillance of Americans. Her oversight roles on the Senate Judiciary Committee have highlighted concerns about FISA abuses, yet she hasn't pushed for the warrant requirements needed to fully protect civil liberties. This "experienced" approach prioritizes government power over individual rights, contributing to a surveillance state that Tennesseans reject.
“Experienced” John Rose: Washington Tenure Marked by Debt Contributions and Missed Opportunities
John Rose, serving in the House since 2019, pitches his experience as a no-nonsense conservative. Yet his time in Congress has seen the national debt climb unchecked, with his votes enabling key expansions.
Rose supported relief efforts tied to the CARES Act framework, co-leading a letter requesting pandemic aid that mirrored the bill's massive spending. While the House passed CARES by voice vote, his advocacy for such measures helped fuel the debt's rapid rise to $38 trillion. He voted against the 2023 Fiscal Responsibility Act, criticizing it for not going far enough on cuts, and opposed the 2023 Consolidated Appropriations Act omnibus bill. But these "no" votes don't erase how his overall Washington experience failed to prevent the debt explosion—Congress under his watch passed trillions in unfunded spending, burdening future generations.
Regarding liberty, Rose has a mixed record that reveals shortcomings. He has denounced extensions of FISA Section 702, opposing its inclusion in the NDAA and calling out warrantless spying on Americans. That's commendable, but his experience hasn't translated into broader protections. For instance, during the COVID era, Rose didn't lead on blocking federal overreach into state mandates, allowing encroachments on personal freedoms to persist. His tenure reflects a pattern where "experience" means navigating Washington's status quo rather than dismantling it, leaving Tennesseans vulnerable to federal usurpations like excessive surveillance and economic mandates.
Servant Leader Monty Fritts: Quality Leadership Over Quantity of Years
Monty Fritts may have only served in the Tennessee House since 2022, but his leadership extends far beyond elected office, rooted in military service and private sector success—all while championing liberty in his short tenure.
In the military, Fritts served in the U.S. Army, deploying to Iraq as a Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge (NCOIC) for a Squadron Personal Security Detachment (PSD) and Convoy Security Team. This hands-on leadership in high-stakes environments honed his skills in decision-making under pressure, protecting lives and missions—qualities essential for a governor facing crises.
In the private sector, Fritts spent decades in leadership roles within high-consequence nuclear manufacturing. He completed executive programs at MIT for operational excellence and managed teams in complex, regulated industries, demonstrating fiscal discipline and innovation. As a carpenter by trade earlier in his career, he understands grassroots entrepreneurship, not just Washington insider games.
Even in his brief elected tenure, Fritts has sponsored liberty-protecting legislation. He backed HB 878, which protects religious freedoms by ensuring no one is forced to solemnize a marriage against their objections. More crucially, he supported HB 562 (in the 114th General Assembly), which prohibits government from deeming businesses "nonessential" during emergencies, preventing the kind of lockdowns and overreach that trampled economic freedoms during COVID. He also sponsored a bill designating June, July, and August 2026 as months to celebrate "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness," reinforcing Tennessee's commitment to core American values. His high scores on liberty scorecards, like the Tennessee Legislative Report Card and Freedom Index, underscore his consistent fight against government overreach.
Fritts' campaign focuses on cutting spending and ending "Nashville establishment" overreach, proving that true experience is about defending liberty, not accumulating years in power.
The only reasonable, logical, conservative, and Christian conclusion Tennessee voters should come to is this —Choose Liberty Over Legacy
The "experience" hype around Blackburn and Rose ignores how their Washington stints have fueled a $38 trillion debt and liberty erosions through spending sprees and surveillance-friendly policies. Monty Fritts offers a better path: Proven leadership from the battlefield to the boardroom, paired with targeted actions to protect freedoms. Tennessee deserves a governor who prioritizes people over politics. Vote Monty Fritts for real change and because he has the right kind of experience.
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