Hamilton County Mayor and Senator speak on challenges ahead of Governor’s Race

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Saturday night, three Republican gubernatorial candidates campaigned at the Hamilton County Republican Party’s annual Lincoln Day Dinner.

The event brought Senator Marsha Blackburn, Representative John Rose, and Representative Monty Fritts to Chattanooga, where each candidate shared their vision for Tennessee’s future and their plans for the governor’s office.

Before the dinner, the candidates spoke about why they believe they are the best choice to lead the state.

Representative Monty Fritts emphasized earning support from voters.

“I don’t want them to give it to me. I want to earn it.”

Senator Marsha Blackburn pointed to her record of advocacy and leadership.

“I work and fight.”

Representative John Rose highlighted his executive experience.

“A governor who’s job ready, who can roll up their sleeves and go to work on day one.”

During the event, each candidate outlined priorities they believe are important for Tennessee’s future.

Blackburn said her focus is ensuring Tennessee remains a top place to live, work, and raise a family.

“To make certain Tennessee continues to be the very best place to live, to work, to rear a family, and have those jobs that those kids can come home to.”

Rose said improving educational outcomes remains a priority.

“I think that we have to continue to improve the outcomes for our kids in education in Tennessee. These are the things I’m hearing as I travel Tennessee. I’ve been to all 95 counties.”

Fritts focused on limited government and grassroots support.

“We’re just going to continue to work to seek the endorsement of the average Tennessean and preach this message of liberty and less government. Putting a little energy behind it. Sometimes there’s no energy in some of these politicians, and I think my chances are pretty good.”

Ahead of the dinner, local Republican leaders reflected on what they view as the party’s recent successes across the state.

During a press conference, State Senator Bo Watson and Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp highlighted accomplishments they say have benefited local communities.

“A lot of times, Bo and I are head down working. You forget sometimes that you’ve got to look up and share the work we’re doing,” Wamp said. “In just four years, the percentage of our students who are ready for college or a career upon graduation has increased by 50 percent. If it had gone up 10 percent, it would be significant. Imagine the cascading positive effect that has on families.”

When asked about challenges facing the Republican Party moving forward, Watson pointed to financial concerns.

“I think states are going to be financially challenged over the next several years. We’re going to have to be really disciplined about our spending, even more so than we’ve been in the past.”

Wamp said growth and development will continue to present opportunities and challenges.

“There’s a lot of interest, a lot of new investment, and a lot of new people moving here. I’m for that, as long as our people come first. But that’s going to take us being willing to move faster than government usually has, and some people don’t like that. Change is tough, and that’s a challenge that we run into.”

We also asked Wamp how Republicans can maintain their dominance in Hamilton County moving forward.

“Because you’ve had 16 years of very effective Republican leadership in Nashville. What we’ve been able to do in Hamilton County is make historic investments in education, and nobody can really argue with that at this point.”

With the primary election approaching, all three candidates are continuing to campaign across Tennessee as they work to earn support from Republican voters.