PDF: Federal Election Commission
Chattanooga lawyer Chuck Fleischmann, a Republican seeking the 3rd Congressional District seat, has put $544,000 of his own money into his campaign, according to Federal Election Commission records.
That amount is about 75 percent of the $724,611 his campaign has brought in through the reporting period that ended March 31. The quarterly reports were due to the FEC by midnight Thursday.
"I'm trying to show the voters I've committed my own funds and not just theirs," Mr. Fleischmann said Friday.
Chris Meekins, campaign manager for another candidate in the Aug. 5 GOP primary, former state Republican Party chairwoman Robin Smith, said the campaign has received contributions from 806 donors through the March 31 reporting period - and none from the candidate's own pocket.
"We don't think the voters in the 3rd Congressional District are going to be able to be bought by a self-funded collections attorney," he said.
Mrs. Smith's campaign raised $399,868 through March 31 and had $270,291 remaining. Mr. Fleischmann's balance was $626,241, according to the FEC Web site. He put $164,000 of his own money into the campaign from Dec. 31 to March 31, records show.
IN OTHER DISTRICTS* West of Chattanooga, in the 4th Congressional District, U.S. Rep. Lincoln Davis, D-Tenn., has raised $599,492 through March 31, with none coming from his own pocket, according to the Federal Election Commission Web site.* Jasper physician Scott DesJarlais, a Republican, has raised $269,978, including $29,400 of his own money.His campaign manager, Amy Jones, said the personal loan was intended to "kick-start" the campaign and that Dr. DesJarlais does not plan to spend more of his own money on the race.* Rep. Davis did not respond Friday to calls seeking comment.* In West Tennessee's 8th Congressional District, state Sen. Roy Herron, D-Dresden, has raised $1.18 million, including $250,000 of his own money, while Republican Steve Fincher, a gospel-singing farmer, has raised $1.03 million, with none from his own pocket, the FEC Web site shows.The two are candidates for the seat held by U.S. Rep. John Tanner, D-Tenn., who announced his retirement last year after 11 terms in Congress.
Mr. Fleischmann said he is not trying to buy the race, but because he is a political newcomer and not a "party boss," it is "difficult to raise money."
He said he has not ruled out spending more of his own money if necessary but has yet to hold a "big fundraiser" like he expects on April 28, when former GOP presidential candidate and now Fox News host Mike Huckabee campaigns here on his behalf.
Responding to the "party boss" label, Mr. Meekins said Mrs. Smith, a Hixson resident, has a 20-year record of being a conservative who gets "local people elected - and it shows in the number of donors we have."
The seat is held by U.S. Rep. Zach Wamp, R-Tenn., who is running for governor. The East Tennessee district covers 11 counties from the Kentucky to Georgia borders and includes Chattanooga, Cleveland and Oak Ridge.
Other candidates in the GOP primary are Cleveland businessman Art Rhodes, Bradley County Sheriff Tim Gobble and Chattanooga-area businessman Tommy Crangle.
Also running in the GOP primary are attorney Van Irion, educator Jean Howard-Hill and retired Air Force Capt. Rick Kernea.
Democrats who have filed are educator Brenda Short, Dr. Brent Staton and attorney John Wolfe. Two independents, engineer Greg Goodwin and businessman Mark DeVol, also are running for the seat.
The general election is Nov. 2.
Continue reading by following these links to related stories:
Article: Wamp presses for contributions
Article: Tennessee: Berke bill requires corporations to disclose political contributions
Article: Flowers brings in $80,000 this quarter in campaign contributions