The campaign of GOP 3rd Congressional District candidate Chuck Fleischmann announced the release of a new ad called "Faith and Family" to air on broadcast television in Chattanooga.
"Some people are defined by their job or their title, I'm defined by my faith and my family," Mr. Fleischmann says in the ad. "The day my mom died was a horrible day. I was a freshman in high school, about 14 years old. It was tough.
"Growing up we had very little; there was no handouts, no bailouts, no ObamaCare. We just had to work hard to survive, and that's what we need more of in this country - less government and more hard work."
The campaign also announced the release of a radio ad featuring former presidential candidate Mike Huckabee. The ad will run districtwide.
"We need people in Washington with real world experiences; someone fighting for us - like my friend Chuck Fleischmann," Mr. Huckabee says in the ad.
Smith denounces 'liberal' leadership
GOP 3rd Congressional District candidate Robin Smith denounced Congress because of "the admission by House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer that congressional Democrats will fail to pass a budget resolution for the first time since 1974."
"This is a stunning failure of leadership and a clear signal that House Democrats care more about their own elections than they do the good of the nation," Mrs. Smith said in a news release.
In addition, Mrs. Smith's campaign also announced last week that she has been endorsed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
In a letter confirming the group's endorsement, U.S. Chamber of Commerce President Thomas J. Donohue said, "Your support of pro-business issues earned this endorsement," according to a Smith campaign news release.
Gobble hits Smith over immigration
GOP 3rd Congressional District candidate Tim Gobble hit primary opponent Robin Smith on her positions on illegal immigration.
"Voters have heard Mrs. Smith repeatedly claim that she opposes amnesty for illegals, but ... she proudly accepted the endorsement of the amnesty advocates with the D.C.-based U.S. Chamber of Commerce who support the 'pathway to legalization for undocumented workers' as a great 'development' for her campaign," Mr. Gobble's campaign said in a news release.
Mrs. Smith's campaign said, "While Robin's opponents engage in negative attacks, Robin is focusing on jobs for Tennesseans. Robin Smith is the candidate focusing on job creation."
Former Reagan adviser endorses Haslam
The campaign for GOP gubernatorial candidate Bill Haslam announced that he'd picked up the endorsement of Dr. Arthur Laffer, a former economic adviser to President Ronald Reagan.
"Bill Haslam has done a superb job as Mayor of Knoxville," Dr. Laffer said in a news release. "I expect nothing less of him as governor."
Right to Life PAC announces endorsements
The full list of endorsements from the Tennessee Right to Life PAC for the upcoming primaries for the state Legislature can be found at www.vote4life.org.
"Abortion has become an increasingly important matter in state races following a landmark ruling by the Tennessee Supreme Court in 2000 which found a fundamental right to abortion and struck down popularly supported measures such as informed consent and two-day waiting periods for women considering abortion and other laws regulating the operation of abortion facilities in Tennessee," according to a news release from the Right to Life PAC.
Bredesen endorses McWherter
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mike McWherter has picked up the endorsement of the state's top Democrat, Gov. Phil Bredesen.
"I have spent the past eight years working to make Tennessee a better place to raise a family and operate a business, and I believe Mike McWherter is the candidate best suited to build on this foundation," the governor said in a news release.
Mr. McWherter owns a beer distributorship in Jackson, Tenn.
"When Governor Bredesen took the oath of office, Tennessee was on the verge of bankruptcy," Mr. McWherter said in the release. "And because of his steady judgment and willingness to make tough decisions ... Tennessee weathered that crisis."
Brown questions credibility of Register of Deeds
Jeff Brown, Democratic candidate for the Hamilton County Register of Deeds Office, questioned incumbent GOP Register Pam Hurst's claim of receiving the endorsement of the Chattanooga Association of Realtors.
"Officials at the association confirmed that no such endorsement has been made and that they do not make endorsements as a rule," he said.
Ms. Hurst said she has a letter from the association proving she does have endorsement.
The letter, e-mailed to the Chattanooga Times Free Press, is signed by Randy Durham, president of the Chattanooga Association of Realtors on letterhead from the Chattanooga Association of Realtors, is not an endorsement, Mr. Durham said.
"Basically what took place with Ms. Hurst is we did send her a letter of commendation thanking her for her service," he said.
It's not the policy of the association to endorse any candidate, he said.
The letter reads, in part: "We are extremely pleased to write this letter of support on your behalf as you seek re-election to this very important position."