Chattanooga will be visited by another Republican presidential candidate next month.
U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., will be coming to the Scenic City in early September for a campaign rally followed by a private fundraiser.
Former U.S. Rep. Zach Wamp, who is leading Rubio's campaign in Tennessee, said Wednesday that Rubio would have an open rally at 3:30 p.m. Sept. 3 at Lindsay Street Hall, 901 Lindsay St.
Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., may have helped himself more than any other candidate at the recent Republican debate.After that, Wamp is hosting a private fundraiser for Rubio at Wamp's home.
"We are very honored that he's coming to Chattanooga first. He's obviously been to Tennessee before, but this is his first stop in Tennessee since he became a candidate," Wamp said Wednesday.
Rubio, a first-term, first-generation Cuban-American senator, announced in April he would enter the race. He will be the third Republican candidate to visit Chattanooga.
Former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum visited in June for a presidential campaign fundraiser, and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, also Cuban-American, stopped in Chattanooga on Aug. 10 to kick off a Tennessee tour.
Wamp said he believes Rubio will resonate with Chattanoogans more than other candidates seeking the office.
"I think he represents the future more than any other candidate from either party - and not just because he's 44. He is dynamic, he has a beautiful young family and he's got a remarkable American story," Wamp said.
Democratic candidate and former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley will visit Nashville on Aug. 27, according to Bill Mason, a member of O'Malley's steering committee.
Mason has worked for former Vice President Al Gore and former Gov. Phil Bredesen.
Mason said Wednesday he was not sure if O'Malley planned a Chattanooga visit while he was in the state.
Contact staff writer Louie Brogdon at lbrogdon@timesfreepress.com, @glbrogdoniv on Twitter or at 423-757-6481.