Dr. Mary Headrick is running in the Democratic primary to be the candidate for Tennessee's 3rd congressional district.IF YOU GO
What: Forum for Tennessee's 3rd Congressional District Democratic candidatesWhen: March 27 from 7 to 9 p.m.Where: University Center at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, 642 A E. Fifth St., Lookout Mountain RoomCost: Free
Chattanooga's first congressional debate of the year will not include the GOP's U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, Scottie Mayfield or Weston Wamp.
Instead, it'll feature the Democrats hoping to stop them.
On March 27, Maynardville physician Mary Headrick and Chattanooga businessman Bill Taylor will debate "issues crucial to the 3rd [Congressional] District" at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, according to a news release.
Each candidate will be given time to present a platform before a moderated question-and-answer session with the audience.
UTC students are expected to make up the bulk of the crowd, organizers said, but anyone is welcome. The Hamilton County Young Democrats group is hosting the two-hour forum.
Taylor is campaigning as a centrist Democrat. His top job-creation idea involves strengthening high school vocational training programs with federal block grants.
He also recently touted his love for the Second Amendment when he announced his March 31 "Candidate Shootout Challenge" fundraiser at Shooter's Depot in Chattanooga.
Taylor operates Physician Practice Resources, a health care management firm in Ooltewah.
Headrick's key issue is curtailing special interest money in politics, though she did not criticize President Barack Obama in February when he reversed his well-established opposition to campaign spending by independent groups and began encouraging unlimited donations to "super PACs" that support his own re-election.
A Union County resident, Headrick lives in the northeast corner of the 3rd District, about two hours away from Chattanooga.
A Democrat hasn't won Tennessee's 3rd Congressional District since Marilyn Lloyd won her 10th and final term in 1992.
Fleischmann is a first-term incumbent. Mostly because of their perceived fundraising prowess, Mayfield and Wamp are viewed as his main Republican challengers in the 3rd District race.
Ron Bhalla and Jean Howard-Hill also are competing for the Republican nod.
With the exception of Athens dairy executive Mayfield, who remains undecided, the Republican challengers and Fleischmann have said they'll debate each other before the Aug. 2 primary, but no debates have been announced.
Contact staff writer Chris Carroll at ccarroll@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6610.