NASHVILLE — Two Hamilton County Democrats who are respectively challenging U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann and Tennessee House Rep. Greg Martin, both Republicans, in the Nov. 8 general election share more in common than being members of the same political party and holding similar political views.
Allison Gorman, the Democratic nominee from Chattanooga in Tennessee House District 26, is vying with Hixson’s Martin, who while serving on the Hamilton County Commission was appointed by colleagues to the seat to replace then-Rep. Robin Smith, R-Hixson, a political consultant and vendor who resigned in March after pleading guilty to a federal charge of wire fraud involving Tennessee taxpayer-funded constituent mail accounts.
Meanwhile, Gorman’s daughter, Meg Gorman also of Chattanooga, is running against Fleischmann, an Ooltewah attorney, in a 2022 rematch of their race two years ago, which Fleischmann easily won.
It’s been a difficult climb for Democrats running in the 3rd Congressional District as well as House District 26 in recent years.
Allison Gorman, a journalist and editor, said she decided to run after getting involved in various volunteer activities and becoming increasingly interested in national and state issues. She said friends encouraged her to seek the state House seat, which includes parts of Chattanooga, Red Bank, Soddy-Daisy and Harrison.