2 Democrats qualify for U.S. House race

Dr. Brent Staton and John Wolfe have qualified to run in the 3rd Congressional District race as Democrats, according to the Hamilton County Election Commission Web site.

The seat is open after U.S. Rep. Zach Wamp, R-Tenn., decided not to run for re-election to run for governor.

Dr. Staton qualified Monday, while Mr. Wolfe qualified Wednesday, according to the Web site. Educator Brenda Short also is qualified to run in the Aug. 5 primary.

Dr. Staton is a local physician and worked as county finance chairman for Mike Padgett's unsuccessful 2008 U.S. Senate run. Mr. Wolfe is a local attorney who has run for the congressional seat in the past.

The Republican side of the 3rd District primary is far more crowded - former state GOP party Chairwoman Robin Smith, Chattanooga attorney Chuck Fleischmann, Bradley County Sheriff Tim Gobble, businessman Tommy Crangle, attorney Van Irion and educator Jean Howard-Hill, among others. Businessman Mark DeVol is running as an independent.

The 3rd Congressional District includes all or part of 11 counties - Hamilton, Bradley, Polk, Meigs, Rhea, Roane, Anderson, Union, Claiborne, Grainger and Jefferson.

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