WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Zach Wamp, R-Tenn., on Thursday handily defeated his primary opponent, Teresa Sheppard, setting up a general election match-up with Democrat Doug Vandagriff, who was unopposed in his primary.
The general election is Nov. 4.
Rep. Wamp, 50, who has served in the U.S. House since 1994 and is seeking his eighth term, said he feels confident heading into November.
“For this to be such a rancid, anti-incumbent atmosphere, I enjoy very good support,” he said. “I do think I’m voting consistently the values and wishes of the people in the 3rd District. I have a 14-year record that I can be proud of.”
Mr. Vandagriff, 59, ran against Rep. Wamp in 2004 as an independent and in 2006 in the Republican primary, polling in the low single digits both times.
“Someone like me, being an outsider, a lot of people don’t take it too seriously,” said Mr. Vandagriff, a Chattanooga native and Wal-Mart employee. “If we can get some everyday people in Washington, we can do something, as far as decreasing the size, cost, power and reach of government.”
Independents Ed Choate and Jean Howard-Hill also are in the race.
Tennessee’s 3rd District includes Hamilton, Bradley, Polk, Meigs, Rhea, Anderson, Union, Claiborne and Grainger counties and parts of Roane and Jefferson counties.
U.S. House members serve two-year terms and are paid an annual salary of $169,300.
All vote totals, which include federally mandated provisional ballots, are unofficial until certified by county or state officials.
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