The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show Hour 3 - "Running Gov't Like a Coach"
Date: March 11, 2026
Podcast Host: iHeartPodcasts

Episode Overview

This episode focuses on the ongoing primaries in key battleground states—especially Georgia—as Clay and Buck delve into Senate, House, and Governor’s races, internal GOP dynamics, and the crucial national stakes tied to these races. They bring in congressional reporter Ashley Brassfield (Daily Caller) to provide granular insight from Georgia, and later interview Sen. Tommy Tuberville (Alabama) about the Save America Act, the Iran conflict, and his perspectives on college athletics reform. The hosts also discuss the media's handling of international women's rights and the migration of high-profile executives from blue to red states due to tax policies.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Georgia's Political Battleground: House, Senate, Governor’s Races

[00:09–07:41]

• Marjorie Taylor Greene's House Seat:

  • The GOP primary to replace MTG saw Trump-endorsed Clay Fuller win; he will face Democrat Harris ([01:36]).
  • Context on the district: rural NW Georgia—a GOP stronghold even without Greene [(Ashley Brassfield, 01:36)].

• Senate Primary Dynamics:

  • Three-way competitive GOP race: Buddy Carter, Mike Collins, and Kemp-endorsed Derek Dooley.
  • No Trump endorsement yet, highlighting the ongoing Trump-Kemp divide ([03:17], [06:17]).
  • Georgia and Texas share runoff thresholds (50% rule), making May 19th a crucial date.
  • National spotlight: This Georgia Senate seat is seen as the GOP’s best pickup opportunity to flip the Senate. “There is no math under which… the loss of the Senate could occur” if GOP wins Georgia ([Buck, 06:17]).

• Governor's Race:

  • Incumbent Brian Kemp is term-limited; field is open and competitive for both parties.
  • Lt. Gov. Burt Jones is widely watched and may receive both Trump and Kemp's endorsement.
  • Brad Raffensperger—known for standing firm in the 2020 election controversy—is running as well ([03:17]).

• Quote (Ashley Brassfield, on Kemp-Trump tension, 10:32):

  “It's kind of been this consistent cold war with the governor and the president... an inner party war that's happening within the party right now.”

2. Marjorie Taylor Greene's Fallout with Trump & Internal GOP Friction

[07:41–10:32]

• Greene’s high-profile split with Trump traced to disagreements over policy, particularly Trump administration decisions on immigration and tariffs.
• Brassfield reports internal polling suggested Greene would lose a Senate race to Ossoff, fueling frustration ([08:19]).
• “She’s become this very anti-involvement and war type of individual… a very interesting one to see happen within the first year of the Trump administration from somebody like Taylor Greene, who's been a cheerleader...” (Ashley Brassfield, [09:08]).

3. National Implications & Intra-GOP Alliances

[10:32–11:35]

• Discussion of whether Kemp and Trump camps will reconcile for the general election.
• Emphasis on importance of unified GOP turnout to flip the Senate.
• “Hopefully we can wed the turnout, the vote of Brian Kemp with the passion of Trump supporters, because that… is 100% necessary,” (Buck, [11:11]).

4. Women’s Rights, International Sports, and Media Coverage

[11:35–14:26]

• Australia grants asylum to Iranian women's soccer players who refused to sing the national anthem.
• Critique of U.S. athletes like Megan Rapinoe for not speaking out globally:

  “It seems to only matter to people like Megan Rapinoe when she’s not getting paid enough… she doesn’t care about the global issues like what these women on the Iranian soccer team are now facing.” (Ashley Brassfield, [13:22]).

5. Economy & Core Inflation Check-In

[16:02–17:19]

• Review of latest core inflation figures (“year-over-year core remains at 2.5%”), noting economic stability.
• “The economy is moving along well... you’d be hearing a lot more negativity if inflation was still kicking up at 4 or 5, 6% etc.” (Clay, [16:53]).

6. Interview: Senator Tommy Tuberville (Alabama)

[19:38–30:07]

A. The Save America Act & Electoral Integrity

• Tuberville urges listeners to contact their legislators about the Save America Act:

  “We have 15 states… that are totally crooked. All the blue states, they want to make sure that they get elected, they elect their officials.” ([19:38])

• On GOP’s hesitation around the filibuster, Tuberville says:

  “I tell them… I don’t work for the Senate. I work for the people… It’s time to understand this country has changed. We are not the same republic… The enemy is inside the gates.” ([21:19])

B. Winding Down the Iran Conflict

• Tuberville recounts direct talks with Trump:

  “We’ve got [Iran] as weak [as] it’s ever been… Now’s the time to do it. And thank goodness, I truly believe it was the right thing to do. We’ll never have this opportunity again.” ([22:44])

• On war length: “This doesn’t need to be one of those forever wars, and it won’t be… do the job right and then get out.” ([23:23])
• Willingness to weather higher gas prices for national security:

  “If we can’t live a few weeks with higher gas prices to be able to take out one of the most dangerous groups… then something’s wrong with us.” ([24:33])

C. College Athletics Reform: “Run It Like a Coach”

• Tuberville opposes college athlete unionization, favors stricter eligibility/transfers:

  “You get one transfer, one free transfer without penalty… If you don’t fulfill that requirement… you’re going to end up losing your scholarship and eligibility." ([26:34])

• Predicts only Trump can address issues with an executive order.

D. Markwayne Mullin to DHS

• Praises Mullin as new DHS pick for “offensive line coach” attitude:

  “Demand respect, motivate people… We need somebody hard-nosed… and we’re going to get this job done.” ([29:09])

7. Tax Exodus from Blue to Red States

[32:46–34:15]

• Starbucks’ Howard Schultz latest to leave Washington state for Florida, citing rising taxes.
• Major corporations (including HQ jobs) relocating to Tennessee and Florida.
• Buck: frustration that “blue state” policies’ proponents move but don’t admit red states are better-run (“there should be a mea culpa before they hop on the private jet…” [34:15]).

8. Listener Interaction & Show Banter

[35:30–36:49]

• Listener gratitude and camaraderie: “I feel like you guys are my friends… you’re in my truck with me three hours a day.” (Michael, Arizona trucker, [35:30])
• Light-hearted close with movie preferences and comments about co-hosts’ children making cameo appearances.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Ashley Brassfield on GOP Georgia dynamics:

  “It’s really this inner party war that's happening within the [GOP] party right now, I'd say.” ([10:32])

• Sen. Tuberville on the filibuster:

  “I don’t work for the Senate. I work for the people… The enemy is inside the gates… time to understand this country has changed.” ([21:19])

• On Iranian women’s team’s courage:

  “I would be also fearful… Iran is not a place that's safe for women. And… it's interesting that they even have a women's soccer team…” (Ashley Brassfield, [13:22])

• Tuberville on college athletics:

  “The money is out of the bag… donors can't keep spending this kind of money… we've got to get the transfer portal back, put education back into it, get your butt back in class.” ([26:34])

• Listener Michael (AZ Trucker):

  “I feel like you guys are my friends. Never met you personally, but you're in my truck with me three hours a day… I am well informed because you guys, gentlemen, are amazing.” ([35:30])

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Description | Timestamp | |---------|-------------|-----------| | Georgia Primaries Analysis (Brassfield) | House, Senate, Governor races | [00:09–07:41] | | Marjorie Taylor Greene–Trump Split | Internal party drama | [07:41–10:32] | | GOP Unity (Kemp–Trump Relationship) | General election prospects | [10:32–11:35] | | Women's Iranian Soccer Team | Athlete activism & media | [11:35–14:26] | | Core Inflation/Economic Health | CNBC analysis | [16:02–17:19] | | Sen. Tuberville Interview: Save America Act | Electoral integrity | [19:38–21:19] | | Tuberville: Iran War Strategy | Ending conflict, advice to Trump | [22:44–24:33] | | College Athletics Reform | Transfer rules, unionization | [26:34–28:40] | | Markwayne Mullin–DHS Nomination | Leadership style | [29:09–30:01] | | High-Tax Blue State Exodus | Schultz move, corporate relocations | [32:46–34:15] | | Listener Tributes | Audience engagement | [35:30–36:15] |

Conclusion

This episode delivers an in-depth, on-the-ground look at pivotal 2026 election races, especially Georgia’s looming Senate fight, internal Republican party dynamics, the impact of national personalities (Trump, Kemp, MTG), and larger themes of governance and reform. Its lively tone, colorful guest interviews, and sharp listener interactions highlight the show's signature blend of insight, candor, and community spirit.