Former Tennessee Republican Party Chairman Chip Saltsman has been added to Chattanooga attorney Chuck Fleischmann's congressional campaign staff as campaign coordinator, according to The Tennessee Journal.

That means two recent state GOP chairmen are involved in the race to represent Tennessee's 3rd District. Former Chairwoman Robin Smith of Hixson is running for the seat.

Mr. Saltsman and Ms. Smith also have faced criticism for what some have called racist attacks on President Barack Obama.

Ms. Smith faced criticism for a state Republican Party news release last year that included a picture of Mr. Obama in traditional Kenyan tribal robes, calling them "Muslim" garb. A Politico.com article this week brought national attention to that incident.

In January, Mr. Saltsman withdrew his name from consideration to be the next Republican National Committee chairman. He withdrew in the wake of criticism from prominent Democrats and Republicans over a CD he sent to committee members which included the parody song, "Barack the Magic Negro."

Ms. Smith also announced an addition to her staff this week. Her campaign announced that Oscar Brock would serve as her campaign treasurer.

Bradley County Sheriff Tim Gobble, engineer Tommy Crangle, businessman Art Rhodes, engineer Greg Goodwin and businessman Mark DeVol are also running for the GOP nomination for the seat. On the Democratic side, former Commerce and Insurance Commissioner Paula Flowers and systems analyst Brent Benedict are running.

duncan's got tva's back

TVA's management may have been attacked this week by its inspector general and other members of Congress. But the federal utility won accolades from U.S. Rep. John Duncan, R-Knoxville, who represents the corporate home of the Tennessee Valley Authority.

During a congressional hearing, Rep. Duncan voiced some of the only support for TVA from a House oversight committee. The Knoxville Republican said TVA "should be commended for what they have done and will do in this area" in response to the Dec. 22 ash spill that dumped more than 1.1 billion gallons of coal ash into the Emory River and surrounding property.

"You can never satisfy the extremists or the kooks even if we spent the entire federal budget on this problem," Rep. Duncan said.

forrester challenges thompson

Tennessee Democratic Party Chairman Chip Forrester this week challenged former U.S. Sen. Fred Thompson, R-Tenn., to "promote honest health-care debate" on his radio show.

Specifically, Mr. Forrester criticized Mr. Thompson for insinuating on his show that the health care reform bill now moving through Congress promotes euthanasia.

"Sen. Thompson should know better. He is a respected statesman here in Tennessee, and people generally take him at his word," Mr. Forrester said. "I respectfully ask Mr. Thompson do the right thing and stop pandering to the special interests who want to derail health-care reform."

twitter updates

Twitter is a social networking tool politicians often use to send updates to supporters. Here's what some local and state officials and candidates were saying this week.

* Sheriff Gobble, Monday: "I support Medicaid and Medicare to help the needy and elderly. Steps should be taken to make these programs solvent and free from fraud."

* U.S. Rep. Zach Wamp, R-Tenn., GOP candidate for governor, Monday: "Tn Assesors are 'salt of the earth' State's finest. Knox, Hamblen, Washington and Sevier very good today. Campaign about vision and results."

* Shelby County District Attorney Bill Gibbons, GOP candidate for governor, Wednesday: "Attended event tonight hosted by Associated Builders & Contractors. ABC members know good jobs, good schools & safe streets go hand in hand."

* Ms. Smith, Friday: "Govt-takeover of Healthcare can pass w/o single GOP vote. Pelosi needs to save her breath. Stand firm GOP, like w Stimulus vote!"