Hour 3 of NMN, Gubernatorial Interviews | Senator Blackburn + Monty Fritts

Primary Election Day across the great state of Tennessee. I want to welcome on into the program. Senator Marsha Blackburn, Senator, always great to have you on the program. Of course, everyone knows you are running for governor. And I just want to find out first question out of the box. How are you feeling today? We feel great. We finished yesterday in Mountain City with a huge crowd. And today we are starting the day in Memphis. and we'll be working our way east. We'll end up in Knoxville for our victory celebration tonight. So that is a lot of stops, I'm assuming, along the way. So there's a lot of issues here, Senator, in the state of Tennessee that you have campaigned on. Nuclear energy data centers, of course, the economy as well. When you were here in studio, we talked about education, illegal immigration. What would you say has been the top issue that Tennesseans have been talking to you about? I will give you the top three. There's a lot of conversation around having a strong economy, and Tennesseans want to see great jobs for their kids and their grandkids, and they want that strong economy. They're concerned about public safety, want to make certain we continue to deport illegal aliens. They are also talking a lot about educational opportunity and being certain that they're... kids and grandkids are equipped for the future. And you know, Dan, the other thing I will have to say, there is a, we've had a lot of great conversations. People know that I'm the one who is best prepared to lead our state. And with the firm foundation, the strong general assembly, the strong governors that we have had, our state really needs a leader. And as we have worked with people, they talk a lot. about having a governor who is prepared to lead, that knows the legislature, that understands that it is a team sport from your local state, federal level, to be certain that we serve Tennessee well and that Tennessee is prepared to lead as far as our country goes, whether it is in education or health care or nuclear. pardon me, nuclear energy generation or deregulation permitting. So we've heard quite a bit from one end of the state to the other. One of the things, and last time you're on, we talked about some of the most important statewide issues. I'm not going to, you know, rediscuss the things that we spoke about last time. There was a story a couple of weeks ago that I wanted to ask you about, though, Tennessee is in the running. to bring in $50 billion to create this nuclear life cycle innovation campus. Governor Lee was, of course, part of this. Part of that would be accepting nuclear waste and producing nuclear fuel, enriching uranium and the like. So, Senator Marsha Blackburn, if you were governor, would you see that as a good idea for the state?

What we know is that the Department of Energy is looking for a place to house this Manhattan Project 2.0. This is something that they are working on with the state. What we also know is that generating more nuclear power, baseload power, is going to be necessary for our economy. Now, when it comes to having a life cycle... campus of this nature, you've got to be sure it's going to be safe and it's going to be something that the communities want. And when it comes to issues on data centers and things of this nature, much of that is going to be community decisions. And I know that there are five states that have spoken with the Department of Energy and are discussing the suitability for a nuclear fuel lifecycle campus. And I am one of those that is looking forward to getting more information about this every single day. We want to make certain when it comes to nuclear power and building these small modular reactors, that this is something that Tennessee has the opportunity to be the nation's leader when it comes to innovation for advanced energy. 712 on Nashville's morning news. Senator Marsha Blackburn is joining us here. It's interesting, Senator, you were talking about the economy. One of the things that does separate you from your opponents is, and I'm just going to use the Starbucks deal as an example, you like the Starbucks deal, and, you know, it depends on the deal. But one of the things that I find fascinating is... You'll have people that will complain that there's not enough jobs in Tennessee, but they won't want to bring in these outside businesses that could create those jobs. And so when we talk about those opportunities for the state of Tennessee, last time you were in studio, you spoke a little bit about your process in how to decide what deal is a good deal. Mike Drop, hosted by former Navy SEAL Mike Ridland. How would you characterize your prowess? I'd say my style is that I just kind of outwork everybody until I get there because I'm not a quitter. It's just you. And that's yourself. There's everything else is team-oriented. The motivation, it was a sort of anger at myself for being weak. That ends up being the driving factor. That anger, that pride, that ego, I think it's a muscle. It gets stronger. When you take that voice seriously, you start to change your life. Mike Drop, follow and listen on your favorite platform. for the state of Tennessee as far as incentives go and that kind of a thing. Can you talk a little bit about that as well? Sure, absolutely. You want to look at these one at a time. And what is the return going to be? How many jobs is it going to be? What is the payroll going to be? What do you expect the revenues that are going to be generated for the state's tax base from that payroll that people are actually going to be making? Those are dollars.

As you talk to anyone that is working in our communities, and we have great economic development offices in each and every county in our state. You've got great local chambers that are out there, and they'll talk with you about the number of times a dollar turns over in their community before it leaves the community. And some will tell you it's three and a half times. Some will tell you. It's four or four and a half times. And this helps grow those strong economies. The other thing is you look at many of these companies that have been housed in these big blue states. And Dan, what's the number one thing they say? They say they can't deal with these woke policies, and they can't deal with some of the tax structures in these states. And I like to say, a lot of these companies have gotten religion. And now they realize they cannot operate in those states, and they are looking to move. Tennessee. No state income tax. Thanks for the fact that I led to kill that years ago. We are state income tax free after November. We will confirm that there will never be a property tax in Tennessee. We are a right to work state. We have good, strong communities that have great credit ratings that are well led by good governor, good mayors. and good county commissions that are out there looking to provide jobs and services for those individuals that live in their counties and communities. And it is an honor to work with them. And they know that it takes a team in order to do this. And it takes everybody pulling the same direction. So you work. with people. This is why I continue to say, our state does not need a manager. Our state needs a leader that knows how to build that team and how to get things across the finish line that are going to improve the quality of life for each and every Tennessee. And I want our state to be known as the great state of opportunities where people can come. And our kids can come and live out their version of the American dream and not have to go somewhere else to find a job and make that happen. Senator, you've advocated for closing primaries here in the state of Tennessee, meaning that Tennesseans would have to register with a party and vote in that party's primary. For you, is it a matter of election integrity? It is. And one of the things that Tennesseans have talked with us about all along the process, Dan, and as you know, a year ago today, I kicked off my campaign. And one of the things they've said primaries should be the Republican primary for Republicans, the Democrat primary for Democrats, and then move to the general election.

And they want to see our primaries close. And yes, this is something I've advocated for. Tennessee is known as the number one state when it comes to election integrity. That is great for us. We wish every state was like we were when it comes to having safe, secure elections. We want election day to be election day. And then we want to make certain that Republican primaries are for Republicans. They select their nominee. And you don't have Democrats sending out Facebook messages or post and saying, we want you to go vote in this primary, in the Republican primary, and vote for so-and-so because we think they're... easier to beat in November. That's the type thing that is not appropriate, and we have heard from our Republicans that they want to close the primaries. Senator, unlike many other senators, you've actually called for the elimination of the filibuster related to the SAVE Act going on to some Senate business here. Knowing what you know, do you believe that... John Thune, the leader of the Senate, does he have the votes to actually eliminate the filibuster? And is there any opportunity for the SAVE Act to actually be passed? We have a measure that will be before the Senate on Friday, and it is another bill that we have the voter ID provision on that bill. And we're going to try it that way. It is the bill that would ban stock trading for members of Congress, which is something I do not do. And it is so unseemly to me that you do have members. of the House and the Senate that actually trades stocks. And we have access to so much information, I think it's inappropriate. And that is something I have never done. But we finally are moving to ban stock trading for members and their spouses. So I think that's an appropriate move, putting voter ID, which Dan, as I have said repeatedly. This is an issue that 85% of the American people agree with. So let's pass it. The only Democrats that are opposed to it are Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries and the Democrats in Washington, D.C. They want to make it easier to cheat. And we have committed to getting this passed. I'm one of those, so with Senator Haggerty, that it said we would stay there until we could get it passed. If we can get this one measure through, then, of course, the House would have to come back and concur. And we need to get this to President Trump's desk, and we need to do it now. Has there been a lot of behind the scenes wrangling? There's a lot of...

frustration with John Thune for not bringing it up to a vote behind the scenes has there been a lot of senators such as yourself you know knocking on his door and saying can we get this up for at least a vote to get everybody on the record We have continued every single week. As you know, one of my proposals was, let's break it apart and do one piece at a time. And start with the voter ID. Then you have to be a citizen. The third tranche is my election security partnership act, which would incentivize states for doing the right thing. You know, abide by the law. And so we have... We've had it up. I think it is five different times. There have been provisions that have been on the floor of the Senate. It has not prevailed. And so this is why we are now looking at breaking it apart. I think that's a smart way to do it. Whatever we can get the votes to proceed and then. the 51 votes for passage. I am all in, and I will stay there until we get this done. Senator, your opponents have made this past review by the Senate Ethics Committee a point of attack. The accusation was that you'd use Senate staff on the campaign trail. There's been a lot of some media outlets also talking about this. Can you comment on the investigation and give your side of the story? Sure, be happy to. There was a politically motivated complaint that was made. We wanted to make sure it was investigated. They investigated nothing. No disciplinary action. And you cooperated with the investigation? Oh, of course. All right. Very good. You've got 60 seconds. I know we're running at a time. You've got 60 seconds for your elevator pitch. Go. I am the best qualified person to lead our state. And just as we did that transition and made a reset after the state income tax battle, we became a powerhouse, the place that everybody wants to be. We have proven that low taxes, like regulation, pro-family, pro-life policies, this is what people want. We need a leader. to take our state to the next level. We've got this firm foundation. I think now is the time for Tennessee to soar our best days are ahead of us. I ask for your vote. I'm the right leader for the right time. Senator, what's your email address? What is your website so people can check out if they have any questions about your campaign, your issues? Where can people find you online? They can find me online at Marsha Blackburn.com and on social media at vote, Marcia. All right, very good. Thank you for joining us here on Nashville's morning news. Good luck, Senator Marsha Blackburn, and it's a big day in the midst of my gubernatorial interviews. And Joan, just so you know, I've been practicing saying the word gubernatorial for like months.

Just say goober. Goober. Isn't that what Chris said? The goobers? The goobers. The goobers? Yeah. It's a great word. Do you know what the great thing is? The one person out of the three that are running for the governorship here in the state of Tennessee that would actually feel comfortable calling a goober is on the line right now. Monty Fritz. And I mean that in the most respectful of ways. Sure he does, Monty. Monty, how are you? I'm good, brother. It's okay. I feel like a goober sometimes, so thank you. I appreciate that. Listen, I play a goober every morning on the radio, so very much appreciate you being here. All right, so what does Amani Fritz do on primary election day here in the state of Tennessee? What are your big plans for the day? Get up and give thanks. God has been so gracious. He has traveled us across the state with no issues, no flat tires, no accidents, no run out of fuel. And I've met some of the most wonderful people. You, Joan, Chris, Matt, I mean, just tremendous Jackson. It feels like family. I appreciate what you all do and Chad. My goodness, what a great journey this has been. I'm so grateful to God that he would call me to make this run. Have you counted the miles that you've put on your car? We have. I don't have a grand total, but it's more than a few hundred. Oh, I bet. You've been all over the state. And I think I said to you last time, I don't remember. I think I said it to you off the air. But, you know, you've run a great campaign. You know, you came in, I think, and I mean this respectfully, you came in as an underdog. And I believe that you are going to do better than people predicted tonight. And so we'll ultimately see what happens. People know that I'm not recommending anybody. I don't endorse people. That's not what I do. But I do appreciate what you have accomplished in this campaign. Talk about real quickly. What have you learned about politics? I mean, you're a member of the state legislature, but you know, you're somebody who has gone from the state legislature to running for, you know, the governor of the state of Tennessee. What have you learned about politics? What have you learned about yourself? And what have you learned about the state of Tennessee? First and foremost, I think God used this whole trip to make me a little bit better person. I feel blessed to have gotten to, I've done this, and so hopefully I'm going to be a better grandpa, a better husband, and a pretty good governor after November as a result of this. I have learned that there is far too much money in politics, that our voices are often silenced by out-of-state. campaigning and acts and all those kinds of things. And I'm hoping if the Lord does give us a victory today, and I'm expecting that, I'll be surprised we don't win. Let's turn this around so that we don't have to spend $25, $35 million between a couple candidates in a statewide race. Let's prove to them we can spend just a few hundred thousand, work hard and get the message out.

Moni, talk about, you know, because this is basically, I mean, for WTN anyway, this is your final pitch to the WTN audience. So talk about as you have put all those many hundreds of miles on your car and you've spoken to people in, you know, all across the state, what have been your takeaways and what have been their main concerns? Property tax reform is big. You know, we've pushed for that in the legislature and will us governor. Getting rid of the grocery sales tax, keeping more money in Tennessee and the state grocery sales tax. Keep them more money in Tennessee's pockets and in their counties. Getting rid of the corporate welfare. The whole flock issue and the Fourth Amendment violation is tremendous. We've got to stop that in Tennessee. The data centers have become quite the thing. I've been asking for some time about the artificial intelligence and its connection with the hyperscale data centers. Is it happening to us or for us? And most Tennesseans think it's happening to us. And then lastly, they don't feel like government works for them. Many people across the state from our west coast to the Smokies. I think that we have people who get into politics and they offer IOUs and empty promises and they never do what they commit to do and then they lie about it and they and there's a there's a disconnectedness there I want to restore that in Tennessee to allow people to believe that somebody in Nashville is actually working for their benefits for the average blue collar working class Tennessee Moni, let me ask you, Moni Fritz, joining us on Super Talk, 9-9-7. So there does seem to be this, and I can make both sides of the argument effectively. But, you know, I have found it interesting that, you know, on the one hand, you got a lot of folks that want jobs in the state of Tennessee. On the other hand, they don't want to see, as you say, the corporate welfare. You don't want to see these, as you say, the woke companies coming to Tennessee to, you know, set up shop here. So I guess is there a conflict between those two ideas, building a job base in the state of Tennessee by bringing companies here and offering those incentives? But the flip side of that is we are bringing in other companies from other states that may not share our values. Well, I think we've unfortunately, the Governor Lee's team has adopted a growth at all-cost mentality.

It's costing us and our lack of investment in infrastructure because we've sent money to the companies. Let's practice liberty and less government in Tennessee. Let's get our infrastructure healthy, not just the roads, but water, sewage, solid waste, emergency medical provision, our schools. Let's make sure that's healthy. And then industry can come and plug into that. effectively make good profit, provide good jobs. Oftentimes we've incentivized directly in the periphery of citizenry in Tennessee around the side or development, they only hurt from it. And I spoke to a lady out in Ripley a couple months ago and I said, how has the Ford project helped you? And she said, it's really only caused my rent to go up. And I'm sure there's some other things with that. Lots of Tennesseans feel like they've been left out in these big direct investments in companies and corporations. And they're saying, how about helping all Timisians? How about making this a place where companies want to come rather than having to be paid to come? You know, Moni, it's interesting because that same concept applies to AI, right? And the data centers where... You have all of these people that love their chat GPT, they love their AI, they love their, you know, Facebook and all of the things that go along with these data centers and AI, but nobody wants the data centers in their backyard. So this is also one of those things where you have to, as governor, if you're elected, you have to find that balance, right? Yeah, I've become a harder know on the data centers as I learn more. I read an article yesterday day before. There's a data center going into Utah that's going to be 44,000 acres. It's going to consume up to 5 million gallons of water per day in Utah. It's going to use more electricity than all of the citizens of Utah, based on the article said, and many of the surrounding states. That's just not healthy for us. And that's one of those infrastructures that can be in Kentucky or Indiana, and we can still benefit from it. You know, I heard one of the other candidates say, well, we've got to store that data here. Well, maybe we're storing too much data. Maybe it would be safer for Tennesseans to buy thumb drives and hard drives and store securely their own information, their photographs, their whatever, not put it on a cloud where it is risk to the Chinese or whomever. And I think we solved some of that problem. I think this whole push to own our data is at detriment to our liberty wherever that information is stored. Do you have a concern, based on what you just said, do you have a concern that that does give China an advantage when it comes to AI, generally speaking? Not really. Again, same article. It was a new American article I read yesterday, 43 or 45% of all the data centers. I think there were like 3,600 in the United States.

45% of all of those in the world are already located in the United States. We already have a great lead on them. My concern is more toward this. We are the place that everyone wants to get our information and data. I think that there's probably a healthy approach. to going, you know, we're not going to go back to paper. We've already left that. But to go back to hard drive storage so that that persons and small companies store their own material is far more secure than on the cloud because in many cases, those data centers in Utah become the cloud that we think we're sending our stuff to. You know, if every transaction, every spoken word, every movement is cracked by a flock camera or our phones, is that good for our liberty? And I say no. Monty Fritz joining us on Super Talk, 997 WTN. All right, Moni, so I only got a couple of minutes left. So let's do real quick the 60-second elevator pitch. Why should people vote for Monty Fritz? It's time for a blue collar working class. Christ is king leader for the state of Tennessee. Someone who will lead for in service to all Tennesseans, someone who understands the nuclear supply chain better than any other candidate available to lead us into a nuclear renaissance because we are thirsty for those kilowatts. Someone who had stood up for our Second Amendment right. for traditional marriage, for small budgets, against the illegal immigration, who has a documented record of legislating for those things. In some cases, have led the nation. In geoengineering, we stood up. In calling Tennessee to a month of fasting and prayer seeking God's healing hands, we've led. We have not set by offering. Mike Drop, hosted by former Navy SEAL Mike Ridland. How would you characterize your prowess? I'd say my style is that I just kind of outwork everybody until I get there because I'm not a quitter. It's just you. And that's yourself. Everything else is team-oriented. The motivation, it was a sort of anger at myself for being weak. That ends up being the driving factor. That anger, that pride, that ego, I think it's a muscle. It gets stronger. When you take that voice seriously, you start to change your life. Mike Drop, follow and listen on your favorite platform. excuses and i'll use we have led sometimes to the frustration and agitation of some of my colleagues but we've got lots of that stuff past and um I'm ready to make Tennessee lead the entire nation in good things. Sometimes we lead in categories we don't want to lead in. Let's invest in Tennessee. Let's be Tennessee first, American sovereign and citizen only. Moni, how can people find out more information on your campaign, your policies, and so forth? What's your website?

If you go to the website at Fritz, FRITTS, FRITTS, the number 4.com, Fritzfor10.com. You'll see our top 10 and you'll see a quick video and all of those. If you spend 20 minutes on our YouTube or on that site, you can get the words from my mouth, not something that someone sent out in a useless, meaningless mailer. But the words from my mouth as to how we intend to serve the people in the state of Tennessee. Those mailers have been out of control, Moni, I've got to say. Or, you know what people could also do is you've been on WTN with, I mean, I think you've been on with all four hosts, right? I don't know you did that hour long with me, and I think you're on with everybody else too. So we have all of those videos posted on our website, which is 997.wtn.com. Monty, I've got one more question for you, and I bet you're going to punt. I don't know if you're going to win or lose today. But if things don't go your way today, would you consider running again or for something else? No, sir. I felt called to do this. I was happy to get out of politics. I think career politicians are the bane of our republic and our state. And those people that serve 20 and 30 and 40 years and seek other jobs, I think they're detrimental to our liberty. I would not have ran had I not been called. So I'm in this race because I feel called to do it. Whatever happens today. I will, if I win, we've got another big challenge up in November and it really gets challenging after inauguration. If I don't win today, I'm going to thank God for the opportunity, the friends I've made and go back to being a good grandpa and riding motorcycles more, hunting a few animals I hadn't hunted in the past and maybe writing a little bit. Would you consider running again? If you were called to do it again, would you consider running again? My wife says that if we get another call, it's going to have to be like the many, many tecala, where the finger on the wall in the palace. Yeah. She said, because this is an arduous journey, so we're going to ask a little more from the Lord in the next call, and if that was the case. All right. Well, very good, very good, Monty. I appreciate it. I think that you've run a great campaign. I think you're an awesome person. I've really enjoyed getting to know you. And regardless as to how this thing ends today, we keep in touch with me here at WTN and everybody else. I'd be honored to. I consider y'all friends, and it's like a family thing. So I love you all. I appreciate you. I mean that. I love you all. I love what you do. I love the investment that you put into our Tennessee.

and putting yourself on the lines. I know it's a job, but I also understand some of the intricacies of it and the criticisms you face. So I love what you do. I love you each for doing it. Thank you so much. Thank you, Moni, very much, and good luck tonight. It is 754 on SuperTalk, 997. WTN, Supertext line is open. 615739-8986. Many, many, Tickle, Parson. Love that. What did you say? He said it. He said it. Many, many, tackle Parsons. Yes, got it. Okay. It's the writing on the wall. Do you think that he'll run again? I do not. I mean, before you got it out of your mouth, he was beginning to make an answer. So he knows. He knows. He knew exactly where I was going. Oh, yeah. I think so. I'm telling you. Here's the tough part for Amani Fritz, right? So. One of the things is he abhors the big money in politics, which is true. Nobody's breaking any laws. There's big money in politics. It is what it is. So he abhors big money in politics, but I'm here to tell you if he had more money. he would be one heck of a candidate, even more than he is right now. He's a great candidate. Don't get me wrong. But if he had more money and more, you know, support in that way and he could afford more advertising and so forth. I think that he would be incredible because he already ran a great campaign. He really did. For people that might be slightly confused by Dan Sullivan analysis, this is like when the sports analyst is like, you know, if this quarterback had better protect. He's a great quarterback. But if he had better protection at front, he could win a Super Bowl. Yeah, I mean, that's exactly right. I mean, you've seen a ton of campaigns being run and what the efficacy, you know, of them are. And you make a great point. Yeah. I mean, if he had more money and could afford more advertising and that kind of a thing, I think he's a great candidate. He's got great policies and we'll see what happens in the future. Not only that, he loves us. He did. He loves us. Well, at least two of the three of us here are very lovable on the morning show. And we'll just leave it back. You did kind of get a little clamped up when he said it. Who I did? Yeah, you kind of, you're like, eh. No, I didn't. Emotions. I did. Shut up, Sam. He was about to cry. Are you kidding? You guys are killing me. You know what? I love the two of you. I love the two of you when you gang up on the host. For clement. That's what happened to me. I got for clement. All right. I got to go. Joan has got the news. By the way, John Rose joining us at 806. You think John Rose would tell us that he loves us? Marsha Blackburn didn't say that she loved us. She didn't say that, did she? No, she did not. Look, you cannot try to draw it out of him. He has to say it willingly.

if it's to match the vibe that Monty Fritz gave us. All right, we got to go. All right, no pressure, John Rose, to tell us that you love us. No pressure whatsoever. The good thing, though, Joan, everybody can rest assured I'm not going to say it first. Oh, we're all very clear on that. All right, we've got to go. Start your day with the morning jolt of Drake C. Toll. See, now it's on demand. My podcast is kind of a radio thing, I think, but also it's a bit of a TV show, and it's about whatever I want it to be. It's listening live as it happened, when it happened, with the instant reaction. You're home for talking sports. We go back, the Great Toll Show, Westwood One Sports Network, and there will be on demand on your radio. Anywhere in the country, I'll see you there. Westwood One Sports Talk, your home for Drake C. Toll. Follow and listen on your favorite platform. platform.