Anyone seeking to unseat U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann next year will need deep pockets.
Tennessee’s 3rd District Republican got a big jump-start on fundraising Friday during a private event at the Mountain City Club in Chattanooga.
The room was packed with monied supporters from across the 11-county district, and Fleischmann was joined by U.S. House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., and 8th District U.S. Rep. Stephen Fincher, R-Tenn.
When Fleischmann arrived, federal reports show his campaign had nearly $147,000 on hand. By the time he left, he had more than $500,000.
The Ooltewah lawyer raised more than $370,000 Friday afternoon alone.