NASHVILLE - Former Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee plans to campaign later this month on behalf of 3rd Congressional District Republican hopeful Chuck Fleischmann, according to the campaign and an official with Mr. Huckabee's political action committee.
"I'm privileged to have the governor's endorsement and support and overwhelmed by the fact that he's been kind enough to come in personally to support my candidacy," Mr. Fleischmann said Wednesday.
Huck PAC Executive Director Hogan Gidley confirmed the plans and said the campaign is working on an event "possibly later this month," although details had not been nailed down Wednesday.
Mr. Huckabee and Huck PAC, which he created to support Republican candidates nationwide, last week endorsed Mr. Fleischmann.
Former Arkansas Gov. Huckabee's decision to come to the 3rd Congressional District comes in the midst of a flap over the endorsements. Fleischmann GOP rival Robin Smith's campaign manager Chris Meekins said Mr. Huckabee's endorsement was linked to the fact that his 2008 presidential campaign manager, Chip Saltsman, was a paid adviser to the Fleischmann campaign.
"We're not surprised that Governor Huckabee has taken an interest in Tennessee's 3rd District with his paid consultant also on Fleischmann's payroll," Mr. Meekins said.
On Tuesday, Ted Boyatt, a volunteer coordinator with the grassroots organization Team Huck Tennessee, issued a news release saying the group was endorsing Mrs. Smith. Mr. Boyatt, who lives outside the 3rd Congressional District, lashed out at both Mr. Huckabee and Huck PAC.
"It would appear that political favoritism means more to them than does standing on principle," Mr. Boyatt said.
Huck PAC executive director Hogan said in an e-mail that officials "certainly respect any member of Team Huck who on their own, individually and independently decides to support Robin Smith."
In an interview, Mr. Boyatt said that "rather than awarding endorsements based on principle and based on (the) candidate's merit, Huck PAC did it basically because Chip Saltsman told them to." He said he has quit the group.
Mr. Saltsman, meanwhile, said the Fleischmann campaign is getting a "lot of energy from Huckabee supporters in the 3rd District. Robin's got one game plan: that's 'attack everything that moves.' I'm not sure that's going to be very successful."
Smith campaign manager Chris Meekins said, "throughout this campaign Robin has been offering positive innovative solutions to stop the liberal Obama/Pelosi agenda. While some candidates are calling names, Robin is offering solutions."
Other GOP candidates running in the Aug. 5 primary include businessman Art Rhodes, Bradley County Sheriff Tim Gobble, businessman Tommy Crangle, educator/consultant Jean Howard-Hill, Rick Kernea, a former Air Force captain and Van Irion.
Democrats who have filed are educator Brenda Short, Dr. Brent Staton and attorney John Wolfe.