NASHVILLE - Charges and counter-charges are flying in the Republican gubernatorial primary as Zach Wamp launched his first television attack ad against rival Bill Haslam, labeling the Knoxville mayor a "billionaire oil man who price-gouged working Tennesseans when we were hurting the most."
It also takes Mr. Haslam to task for raising property taxes in Knoxville by 15 percent during his first year in office and for having "teamed up with New York Mayor Bloomberg to take away our guns."
Early voting in the three-man GOP contest between U.S. Rep. Wamp of Chattanooga, Mr. Haslam and Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey, R-Blountville, began on Friday. The latest public poll in the Aug. 5 primary shows Mr. Haslam ahead although rivals have questioned the survey's methodology.
Rep. Wamp's 30-second spot began airing statewide on Friday, according to Wamp spokesman Sam Edelen, who did not address questions about how much the campaign is spending on the ad.
For complete coverage see tomorrow's Times Free Press.