State Rep. Monty Fritts of Kingston announced on Sept. 5 he is running for the 2026 Republican gubernatorial nomination. (Photo: Fritts4tn.com)

Taking a shot at the political “establishment” in Tennessee’s Capitol, state Rep. Monty Fritts announced he is entering the governor’s 2026 race to cut spending and end government “overreach.”

Fritts is basing his candidacy on a move toward greater “liberty and less government” after recently criticizing the state attorney general’s appeal of a court ruling that would overturn the state’s “intent to go armed” law and guns-in-parks prohibition.

“While the Nashville establishment, the celebrity political body, seeks to take more of your money and redistribute it as corporate welfare or in socialist-leaning programs, I think Tennesseans are better

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