Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn.

File Photo by D. Patrick Harding
Former U.S. Senator Bill Frist speaks during a Chattanooga Rotary Club luncheon about the future of healthcare in the United States.

Two Republican heavyweights are appearing at separate fundraisers this month for U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, a first-term Tennessee congressman facing two well-known challengers from within his own party.

On June 15, former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist will appear at a Nashville-area fundraiser for Fleischmann. Six days later, U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander is hosting a separate fundraiser for Fleischmann in Washington, D.C.

The Chattanooga Times Free Press obtained copies of invitations to both events this week.

The suggested donation to Alexander's event is $500, while organizers at the Frist event are asking $1,000 per person or couple.

The news follows recent endorsements - and fundraising appearances - for Fleischmann from House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, and House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va.

But Fleischmann hasn't secured every establishment endorsement in his quest to defeat two deep-pocketed GOP challengers in Tennessee's 3rd Congressional District - Scottie Mayfield and Weston Wamp.

As of March 31, Fleischmann had $760,000 in campaign cash, Wamp had $436,000 and Mayfield had $416,000.

For complete details, read tomorrow's Times Free Press.