Rep. Chuck Fleischmann again enlists Mike Huckabee for fundraising
A former Republican state governor and one-time presidential candidate is placing his stamp of approval on Rep. Chuck Fleischmann once more.
The endorsement from former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee comes as no surprise to followers of the most recent election in Tennessee's 3rd Congressional District. Huckabee, who catapulted into the national spotlight after winning the Iowa Republican caucuses in 2008, also gave his support to Fleischmann in 2010.
Huckabee has endorsed several Republican House and Senate candidates in this year's election cycle and has a clear link to Fleischmann through Chip Saltsman, Fleischmann's chief of staff. In 2008, Saltsman served as manager for Huckabee's presidential campaign.
In an email Friday, his second message to Fleischmann supporters this year, the current Fox News talk show host said he was confident in the congressman's conservative principals. He also asked them to give the congressman money.
"I truly hope you will make an immediate donation of $10, $25, $50, $75 or $100 or more today," he said. "The Democrats and the big liberal groups up in Washington don't like the tough stands he's taken, and they are promising to attack him on his record. Together we can make sure Chuck has the resources he needs to fight back."
Two Democrats are currently campaigning to challenge Fleischmann in November. Together, Dr. Mary Headrick and Bill Taylor have less than $10,000 cash-on-hand for their campaigns against the congressman, a paltry amount compared to the nearly $760,000 in campaign cash at Fleischmann's disposal at this point.
The congressman is facing more threatening challenges from members within his own party, a fact the Huckabee email omits. Campaigns by regional dairy mogul Scottie Mayfield and Weston Wamp, the son of former 3rd District Rep. Zach Wamp, each have more than $400,000 on hand to wage against Fleischmann in the primary.
The primaries are Aug. 2.
