Monty Fritts | |
|---|---|
| Member of the TennesseeHouseofRepresentatives from the 32nd district | |
| Assumed office January 10, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Kent Calfee |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 10,1963 |
| Party | Republican |
| Education | Liberty University (BS,MA) University of Tennessee (MBA) |
Monty Fritts (born December 10,1963) [1] is an American politician. [2] A Republican,he represents the 32nd district in the Tennessee House of Representatives. [1]
Fritts graduated from Roane County High School in 1982.
Fritts holds a B.S. in Business &Chemistry and a M.A. in Theological Studies from Liberty University. He holds a MBA from University of Tennessee. [1] [3] [4]
Fritts holds a Certificate of Operational Excellence from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). [4]
From 1983 to 1993 and from 2003 to 2006,Fritts served and completed enlistments in the Tennessee Army National Guard and the Texas Army National Guard as a 19D - Cavalry scout. [5] At the age of 40,Fritts re-enlisted in the Tennessee Army National Guard to join in the deployment of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Fritts completed his enlistments as a Staff sergeant (SSG). [5]
From 1988 to 2016,Fritts was employed at Y-12 NSC in Oak Ridge,Tennessee and served in multiple roles,including Program Manager and Director of Operations. [5]
From 2016 to 2017,Fritts was the Director of Operations for Nuclear Fuel Services in Erwin,TN. [5]
From 2017 to 2019,Fritts was a Physical Scientist/ FPM for the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). From August 2019 to November 2020,he was promoted to the position of Office Director for the NNSA. [5]
From December 2020 to November 2022,Fritts was a Business Development Executive for Omega Technical Services in Oak Ridge,TN. [5]
In August 2022,Fritts defeated Teresa Pesterfield Kirkham,Keaton Bowman,Donnie Hall and Randy Childs in the Republican primary election for the 32nd district of the Tennessee House of Representatives. [6] In November 2022,he defeated Jan Hahn in the general election. [7] He succeeded Kent Calfee.
On April 5,2023,just weeks after a deadly school shooting,he voted to move a bill forward to arm teachers;a vote in opposition to members of the general public on-site protesting for gun reform. [8] [9]
On April 11,2024,Frits was one of only two house members who voted against bills SB 1917 and HB 2041 that would ban marriage between biological first cousins,calling it a Democratic insult to Tennesseans. The bills were subsequently approved by the House and Senate. [10] [11] [12]
In 2024,Fritts sponsored a state bill (SB2691) banning geoengineering,which was widely criticised as being influenced by the chemtrails conspiracy theory. [13] This legislation led the way for more than 25 states to follow in Tennessee's footsteps to introduce similar legislation. Notable states that have passed similar legislation include Florida,Arizona,Iowa,and Montana. [14]
In 2025,Fritts authored HJR 51,encouraging Tennesseans,who feel called by God and are physically able,to join in a time of prayer and intermittent fasting from July 1 to July 31 each year (non-mandatory) seeking God’s hand of mercy and healing due to the increase in violence,drug addiction,and family breakdowns in many Tennessee homes and beyond. [15] [16]
On September 8,2025,Fritts announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination in 2026 Tennessee gubernatorial election. [17]
Limited Government and Fiscal Conservatism —Fritts advocates for shrinking state government,cutting spending,and ending "corporate welfare." He voted against Tennessee's $59.5 billion budget due to its 59% growth over six years and opposes redistribution through socialist-leaning programs. He pledges to fund only core government functions and eliminate wasteful spending. [18] [19] [20]
Opposition to School Vouchers/Education Freedom Scholarships —He was one of few Republicans to vote against the private-school voucher program (Education Freedom Scholarships) and calls for suspending these "fiscally irresponsible,unconstitutional" initiatives. [18] [19]
Strong Support for Second Amendment and Gun Rights —Fritts has criticized state officials for appealing court rulings that could overturn restrictions like the "intent to go armed" law and guns-in-parks prohibition. He supports protecting firearms manufacturers from frivolous lawsuits to boost Tennessee's role as an "arsenal of the Republic." [18] [21]
Parental Rights and Personal Freedoms —He emphasizes Tennesseans' rights to make their own decisions on medical care,healthcare,and parenting,opposing government overreach in these areas. [18]
Anti-Establishment and Grassroots Focus —Fritts campaigns against "celebrity politicians" and D.C. elites (criticizing his opponents),rejecting out-of-state PAC money in favor of individual donations. He promotes "Godly values," a "creationist worldview," and he led passage of House Joint Resolution 51 encouraging Tennesseans,who feel called by God and are physically able,to join in a time of prayer and intermittent fasting from July 1 to July 31 each year (non-mandatory) seeking God’s hand of mercy and healing due to the increase in violence,drug addiction,and family breakdowns in many Tennessee homes and beyond. [12] [22] [23] [15]
On August 26,2025,Fritts was recorded at a God,Guns and Guts legislative event where he said "if you kill a baby from embryo on up,with a pill or a scalpel,we oughta execute you." [24] [25]
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