Marsha Blackburn: The Radical Left Wants Tennessee. They’ll Have To Go Through Me.

Tennessee is one of the best places in America to live, work, and raise a family. It’s because of our growing economy and our conservative values. And our state’s momentum is only growing.

But we still have work to do to make our state the fastest-growing state in America and the conservative leader.

Across the country, we have seen the same narrative play out repeatedly: radical socialists gain power and put into place out-of-touch policies that undermine our values and make the lives of working-class families more difficult. It’s happened in California, Minnesota, and New York. All places that were once beacons of the American dream are now barely flickering lights of socialist policy failure that makes everyone poorer.

The threat of socialism right here in Tennessee is real, but together, we can stop it.

This fall, we have the opportunity to elect conservative leadership up and down the ballot, hold the Republican majority in the state legislature, keep the governor’s office red, and send a historic nine congressmen to D.C., ready to fight alongside President Trump to put America first.

We cannot waste this chance, and by voting, you can make sure we don’t. It will take every one of us who believes in conservative values, freedom, prosperity, and safety to show up and stop the radical Left from taking over our state.

Tennessee doesn’t need a radical socialist agenda. Tennessee needs common-sense conservative policies that address the issues our families care about most; that is how we become number one.

As I’ve traveled across the state, from Memphis to Mountain City, I have heard the same three concerns over and over again: affordability, public safety, and education. As governor, I will prioritize these issues and address them with common-sense, conservative policy.

Affordability is at the top of every Tennessean’s mind, and rightfully so. From the grocery store checkout line to the mortgage on your first home, a paycheck doesn’t stretch quite as far as it used to.

Every Tennessean deserves a fair shot at the American dream, and an affordable Tennessee is an important part of that. As governor, I will remove burdensome regulations that drive up costs and fight for lower taxes. Simply put: Tennessee families deserve more money back in their pockets. That starts with fighting for property tax relief so Tennesseans aren’t taxed out of their homes, farms, or businesses. It also starts with real support for first-time home buyers so everyone has a shot at owning a home.

Safe communities are the bedrock for everything we are working to build here in Tennessee. Our brave law enforcement and first responders deserve more than our respect; they deserve our support.

My first budget will fully fund law enforcement, giving them every resource they need to effectively protect our communities. As governor, I will continue working to bring law enforcement agencies together to get better results. Using initiatives like the Memphis Safe Task Force and 287(g) partnerships between local agencies and ICE, I will fight to make Tennessee the safest state in the nation.

Our children and grandchildren deserve only the best, and that starts with giving them a great education. As governor, I will fight to make Tennessee the best place to choose a school, go to school, and open a school. By expanding Education Freedom Scholarships, cutting unnecessary red tape that holds back charter schools, and investing in recruiting and retaining excellent teachers, we can ensure every student receives a world-class education that best fits their unique needs. Parents shouldn’t have to win the lottery to choose where their kids go to school.

Tennessee is on track to be number one in affordability. Number one in safety. Number one in education. Number one overall.

All we need is the right leadership to take us there. This fall, we must elect strong, conservative leaders up and down the ballot. In the race for governor, only one conservative is running, and that is me.

It is time to build a red wall of conservatism, making certain that the threat of socialism hits a hard stop at the Tennessee line. Radical blue state policies are not welcome here – Tennessee is not, and never will become, New York or California. Tennesseans will make sure of it.

As governor, I will fight for common sense and always put Tennessee families first. With a strong, conservative legislature and congressional delegation, I will make Tennessee the most affordable, safest, and best-educated state in the country.

Whether you vote now during early voting or on Election Day, November 3, your vote matters, and how you vote matters.

Vote for common sense. Vote for strong Tennessee values. Vote to make Tennessee the best place to live, work, and rear a family for generations to come. Vote to make Tennessee number one.

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U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn represents the state of Tennessee and serves on the Senate Judiciary Committee.