U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann's war chest is growing, but there doesn't yet appear to be a primary battle in sight for the Ooltewah Republican.
Second-quarter reports for congressional candidates in the 2016 election are due July 15, and Fleischmann's campaign said the incumbent has about $558,981 on hand. That's after raising about $506,169 from April 1 to June 30. The campaign plans to file Monday.
About $370,000 of that came from a major fundraiser in May at the Mountain City Club in Chattanooga.
At the time, Fleischmann said he was just hoping to be prepared for any challenge.
On Thursday, the congressman said the money is affirmation he is doing the right things.
"I have been very pleased, and I'm so thankful for the outpouring of support in this second quarter," Fleischmann said. "I think it's indicative of the way the people of the 3rd District feel about me as their congressman."
State Sen. Bo Watson, R-Hixson, said Friday he is still considering a run for the seat.
"I am still weighing it, still talking to folks. I haven't made a decision yet," Watson said.
State Sen. Bo Watson is interviewed by editors during a meeting at the Times Free Press.And Federal Election Commission reports don't indicate anyone else has declared to run or started raising money to challenge the three-term congressman.
Opponents could come from across the sprawling 3rd Congressional District, which covers Anderson, Bradley, Campbell, Hamilton, McMinn, Monroe, Morgan, Polk, Roane, Scott and Union counties.
But despite Fleischmann's early fundraising effort, primary challengers still have some time to put up a good fight, according to Vanderbilt University political science professor Bruce Oppenheimer.
"Given that we have an August primary, I would think they need to make a serious dent in raising money by the fourth quarter," Oppenheimer said. "That means you'd like to go into the first of the year with half-a-million dollars on hand."
Democrats seeking to beat Fleischmann have a bit more time, but they should hope for a Republican challenger, he said.
"It certainly makes it easier for [Democrats] to find someone if they have a knockdown, drag-out Republican primary to create vulnerabilities," Oppenheimer said.
Contact staff writer Louie Brogdon at lbrogdon@times freepress.com, @glbrogdoniv on Twitter or at 423-757-6481.