Weston Wamp expected to run again for Congress against Chuck Fleischmann

Friday, January 10, 2014

photo Weston Wamp and Chuck Fleischmann
Arkansas-Tennessee Live Blog

Republican Weston Wamp is expected to challenge U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann in the GOP Congressional primary in August.

Wamp, the 26-year-old son of former Congressman Zach Wamp who ran unsuccessfully for the 3rd district congressional seat two years ago, is planning an announcement at 10 a.m. Monday in Chattanooga about his political future.

Wamp declined today to discuss his political plans in advance of Monday's news conference. But he is likely to mount another challenge to Fleischmann, who succeeded his father as congressman in 2010.

"I've always been in a group of people who believe our district deserves better representation," Wamp said.

Weston Wamp is the principal partner in Wamp Strategy, a public relations and marketing firm which operates out of the Lamp Post Group in downtown Chattanooga where Wamp will make his announcement on Monday.

Wamp was defeated by Fleishmann in 2012 in a 4-candidate GOP primary that also included former Mayfield Dairy President Scottie Mayfield. Mayfield said last year he will not run again.

In an email to supporters in November, Wamp said he commissioned a survey by Wilkins Research last fall that showed that only 38 percent of Republicans in Tennessee's 3rd congressional district supported Fleischmann in a potential Wamp-Fleischmann matchup.

No other Republicans have announced plans yet to challenge Fleischmann.