Fleischmann, Wamp tout fourth-quarter fundraising totals

Candidates in Tennessee's 3rd District race boasted their fourth-quarter fundraising hauls over the weekend.

Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, who is seeking re-election for the first time as an incumbent, announced raising more than $320,000 between October and January, bringing his cash-on-hand total to nearly $620,000. 

Fleischmann's most significant challenger, Weston Wamp, said he raised more than $307,000 during the same period, leaving his campaign war chest with more than $285,000 to spend on defeating the incumbent.

It was Wamp's first fundraising quarter since announcing his candidacy in October. Wamp is the 24-year-old son of former 3rd District Rep. Zach Wamp.

Both candidates announced their totals in news releases. Fleischmann's release mentioned that his fundraising haul broke three 3rd District fundraising records, and Wamp mentioned that his three-month tally was more than his father ever raised in a single quarter during his 16-year career in Congress. 

Both Fleischmann and Wamp sought to distance themselves from any monies acquired outside of the 3rd District. Wamp said he received no money from Washington special interest groups and pointed to more than 35 percent of Fleischmann's total funds raised so far that have come from political action committees (PACs).

"Mr. Fleischmann essentially self-funded his campaign two years ago after his career as a trial lawyer," Wamp said. "This time he will rely heavily on special interest PAC money and contributions from Washington. We'll work hard to do it differently and continue to bring new donors to the process."

But Wamp's formal filing with the Federal Election Commission shows he recieved $5,000 from "Zach Wamp for Governor," his father's 2010 gubernatorial campaign committee, which did receive contributions from state PACs and special interest groups, according to Tennessee Registry of Election Finance filings.

Fleischmann's release, which never mentioned any of his opponents by name, included the fact that more than 80 percent of his donations came from within Tennessee. As for donations coming from outside the state, Fleischmann included some of the more recognizable names—U.S. House Speaker John Boehner, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor and Tennessee Sen. Lamar Alexander, among others. 

The congressman also mentioned that he had not yet made any personal contributions to his own campaign.

"The generosity of those supporting my campaign has blown me away," Fleischmann said. "I ran for Congress promising to vote to reduce government regulations and reduce the overall influence the federal government has on small businesses in this country. I have kept those promises since taking office and am encouraged that so many folks have seen that and decided to support me."

More than $200,000 of Fleischmann's fourth-quarter haul was raked in at an October fundraiser that featured Boehner as keynote speaker, and more than $250,000 of Wamp's was collected at a December fundraiser in Chattanooga.

Complete financial disclosures covering the fourth quarter are due Tuesday. Along with Wamp, Republicans seeking to unseat Fleischmann include Dr. Jean Howard-Hill and Ron Bhalla. Democrats in the race include Dr. Mary Headrick and Bill Taylor. 

Scottie Mayfield, president of Mayfield Dairy, has said he will make a decision regarding a possible 3rd District run in the next two weeks.