ATHENS, Tenn. – Six weeks into his congressional campaign, Scottie Mayfield said he couldn’t identify a single issue where he differs from U.S Rep. Chuck Fleischmann — the man he’s trying to beat.
“I haven’t studied his voting record that close,” Mayfield said in an interview Tuesday at a hometown fundraiser here. “I’m sure we will when we get a little bit deeper into that sort of thing, but I’m going to say not really.”
Mayfield and three other Republicans are challenging Fleischmann in the District 3 Congressional GOP primary. The well-known dairy executive said his leadership skills and business career would make him “a better representative” than Fleischmann.
The lack of contrast didn’t keep about 100 people from attending Tuesday evening’s fundraiser at a supporter’s sprawling home, where the Mayfield campaign estimated a $25,000 haul. Several donors said they didn’t know of any major policy differences between Fleischmann and Mayfield, instead vouching for their candidate’s personality and character.
“Scottie’s one of the few people I’ve ever met that have never lied, cheated or stolen, or even been unethical,” said Danny Fisher, an adjunct business professor at Tennessee Wesleyan College.