Weston Wamp's first-quarter donations for primary top $370,000

photo Weston Wamp, candidate for Tennessee's 3rd Congressional District, stands in front of his campaign vehicle Monday at Coolidge Park.

A week before federal candidates have to file first quarter financial disclosure reports, Weston Wamp's campaign says it has raised more than $370,000 for the August primary -- and it's mostly from individual donations.

Wamp is seeking to win the Republican nomination over U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, R-Tenn. He is the only Republican challenging Fleischmann, who is running for a second term to represent the state's 3rd Congressional District. The district spans 11 counties.

Marshall Brock, Wamp's campaign manager, said Monday that Wamp will report more than $370,000 for the primary election.

"It's literally only been 11 weeks," Brock said. "It's mostly a massive, individual representation of Third District members who support what [Wamp is] doing."

Arkansas-Tennessee Live Blog

In a news release Monday, the Wamp camp said its first quarter individual contributions top Fleischmann's individual money for all of 2013, and noted a majority of Fleischmann's money came from political interests outside the district.

Jordan Powell, a senior adviser for Fleischmann's campaign, said Wamp has accepted money from political action committees in the past, and the announcement lacked credibility.

"There are two things in life that are certain, that's death and taxes. You can probably add to that list 'Weston Wamp attacks Chuck Fleischmann over something,'" Powell said. "Even attacking us on an issue you can't really take him seriously on, because he's accepted PAC money in the past."

Powell said the Fleischmann campaign is still tallying its 2014 contributions.

Federal campaign candidates must file first quarter campaign finance disclosures by April 15.

Contact staff writer Louie Brogdon atlbrogdon@timesfreepress.com or at 423-757-6481.

Upcoming Events