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Robin Smith
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Staff Photo by Randall Higgins Robin Smith talks with business owner Larry Miller during a stop in Cleveland Wednesday morning as part of a tour of the Third Congressional District.
Robin Smith harshly criticized President Barack Obama and congressional Democrats on Wednesday, while the sounds of clinking silverware and sweet tea pouring into glasses floated in the background.
"It's time for our federal government to stop spending," she said to diners and supporters at a noon rally in Wally's Restaurant on McCallie Avenue. "What we're seeing now is a rapid radicalization of our national government."
Mrs. Smith stopped in six counties Wednesday to announce that she will file papers with the Federal Election Commission to qualify as a candidate for the 3rd Congressional District seat now held by U.S. Rep. Zach Wamp, R-Tenn. She plans to hit the other five counties in the district today.
She started early Wednesday in Copperhill, Tenn., then dropped by the Old Fort Inn in Cleveland, Tenn., to talk to breakfast customers.
During her speeches, Mrs. Smith addressed a variety of issues, including health care reform, energy exploration and American leadership in the world. District issues, she said, include continuing the pace of industrial development.
"My goal will be very simple: Make things happen for the 3rd District for the citizens who want to have good-paying jobs,'' she said.
Mrs. Smith, a Hixson resident, is a former Wamp staff person and most recently was chairwoman of the Tennessee Republican Party.
Asked if Mr. Wamp, who is seeking the Republican nomination for governor, will endorse her, Mrs. Smith said she understands he's busy with his own campaign.
"I would love to have that happen,'' she said. "But having worn the hat of a state party chairman, I understand he has his race to win. I do appreciate his counsel, the advice he has already given me. And I think people know I have been a longtime supporter of Congressman Wamp.''
Former Hamilton County Commissioner Harold Coker announced that he and his wife, Lil Coker, would serve as honorary co-chairmen of Mrs. Smith's campaign.
SMITH ON WILLIAMS
Some criticized Mrs. Smith's response when Republican Kent Williams was elected Tennessee House speaker this year. In Cleveland, Mrs. Smith responded to critics.
"If people call it heavy-handed to look a liar in the eye and say we don't want you in a public policy situation representing our party, maybe that's heavy-handed. But this is a man that met for months with Democrats and concocted a deal to get the votes of 49 Democrats and cast his own Republican vote to upset the caucus nominees.''
"I am absolutely thrilled to death," he said of Mrs. Smith's candidacy.
Mrs. Smith said she would need to raise between $2 million and $4 million to win the seat.
A spokesman for the campaign of Republican attorney Chuck Fleischmann, one of Mrs. Smith's GOP rivals for the seat, said his campaign will report more than $200,000 cash on hand when finance reports are due July 15.
Also in the GOP race are Bradley County Sheriff Tim Gobble and Cleveland businessman Art Rhodes.
On the Democratic side, former state Commerce and Insurance Commissioner Paula Flowers and Chattanooga systems analyst Brent Benedict are seeking the seat.
Randall Higgins covers news in Cleveland, Tenn., for the Times Free Press. He started work with the Chattanooga Times in 1977 and joined the staff of the Chattanooga Times Free Press when the Free Press and Times merged in 1999. Randall has covered Southeast Tennessee, Northwest Georgia and Alabama. He now covers Cleveland and Bradley County and the neighboring region. Randall is a Cleveland native. He has bachelor’s degree from Tennessee Technological University. His awards ...
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