Gubernatorial candidates speak at WCFRW meeting

JONESBOROUGH - Gubernatorial representatives and a candidate appeared and spoke at the Washington County Federated Republican Women's meeting on Monday, giving attendees a chance to hear about the candidates' principles and why they're running for governor. Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs represented Senator Marsha Blackburn, and Chelsea Rose spoke on behalf of her husband, Congressman John Rose. Tennessee Representative Monty Fritts was the other official present to share key points as to why he chose to run for governor. Each representative and/or candidate had 15 minutes to speak about their current run. Jacobs spoke first, sharing with attendees Blackburn's commitment to "representing and fighting" for Tennesseans. "She's fought illegal immigration," Jacobs said. "She's one of the leading voices that has helped bring the Memphis State Task Force to Memphis and lower their crime rate substantially. She has protected our kids, and she has been a leading voice against men in women's sports." Jacobs added Blackburn has a "conservative track record" of leadership and will utilize her role as governor, if voted in, to cause Tennessee to continue growing rather than remaining stagnant. "You're either improving, or you're losing ground," Jacobs said. "We need a governor who's going to take this great state to the next level, and that means going forward from a great state to being the very best state in the union. That person is Marsha Blackburn." Fritts followed Jacobs, saying he felt called by God to take the step in running for governor and encouraged other Christians to step up beside him, referencing Biblical themes and stories to modern day happenings in the state. "You saw those Baal prophets, those Democrats of old, they were doing things that were detrimental to God's people – that happens today too, my friends," Fritts said. "In those days, they built up high places and worshiped false gods. There's a move for that to happen in America and Tennessee today, and I say we shouldn't build up high places in the state of Tennessee…I think [Jesus Christ] is calling us Christian men to stand up and be assertive, He's calling Christian women to stand up and be assertive for what He's blessed us with." Fritts added his first priority is "to leave more money" in the pockets of Tennesseans by attempting to remove the grocery tax and reforming the property taxes in the state. "As long as we keep taxing against unrealized capital gains, there's going to come a day where your tax base is going to be so high that you're saying, 'This is closer to California than what I thought Tennessee was going to be,'" he said. "We need to fix that." Fritts finalized he wanted to be different from career politicians by speaking "the hard truth." Chelsea Rose was the last to address participants, telling the audience one of John's three main values he and his team believe are essential to Tennesseans and are important to uphold. "If we can protect those three values, Tennessee will be a state that we will be proud to pass on to the next generation, just like the last generation passed to us," she said. "Those values are faith, family and freedom." Chelsea Rose added one of her husband's primary focuses in his campaign is education, referencing her personal connection to how teachers have shaped her life and how John's mother was an educator. "John is a big believer that public education can be a foundation for Tennessee children," Chelsea Rose said. "Regardless of their background, when they experience an effective education in our public schools, they have the chance to build for themselves the Tennessee dream." Chelsea Rose said John's personal understanding in business and farming also helps him in knowing the peoples' concerns in Tennessee and mentioned his commitment to helping the state's populace by listening to their issues. She wrapped up her discussion by asking participants to pray that whoever wins the governor race ends up bettering Tennessee. "I want to ask for your prayers for all the campaigns involved," she said. "We're running along with some great people who love Tennessee – I don't doubt they love Tennessee just like we do. I ask that you pray that the outcome of this election be a blessing for Tennessee."