Chattanooga's excellent U.S. Rep. Zach Wamp, after many beneficial terms of outstanding conservative service in the U.S. House of Representatives, has chosen a "change of direction." He's running for governor of Tennessee.
Always extremely energetic, he is citing his extensive experience in public service for Tennessee and the nation, emphasizing education, health, the economy and reducing crime as his key objectives.
He is seeking the Republican nomination in competition with some other fine candidates in the August primary election, to face a Democrat nominee in the November general election. Able Democrat Gov. Phil Bredesen will be leaving office after his legal maximum of two terms.
Rep. Wamp believes education is the key to the success of every young person. He wants every ninth-grader to be on an education track for vocational or other professional success. He notes that Tennessee's HOPE scholarships help finance "regular" college semesters, but he wants the tuition aid program to apply also to summer school courses. That would help students graduate from college earlier, and get into work activities qualified to earn and enjoy a good income.
He emphatically says, "We will not enact a state income tax."
He has pointed to his efforts to bring Volkswagen and its jobs to Chattanooga, and his successful efforts on behalf of other new industries in our state, emphasizing Tennessee's "Technology Corridor." His goal is to make Tennessee's economy "the most dynamic in America."
Rep. Wamp promotes the "right to work," high-quality jobs, and variety to improve our economy. He has emphasized cooperation between political parties, and having the federal government and state government cooperating constitutionally, without dictation from Washington.
Rep. Wamp has an encouraging view for progress for all Tennesseans.