From blue jeans to black suits, loafers to cowboy boots — Chattanoogans young and old showed up Saturday to support U.S. Rep. Zach Wamp, R-Tenn., in his pursuit of the state governor’s seat.
Mr. Wamp, a Chattanooga native, greeted a crowd of about 100 people at the grand opening of his campaign headquarters in the city. He will be launching two other campaign offices in the coming weeks: one in Nashville on Feb. 6 and in Memphis on Feb. 14.
“This is not just a race we can win, this is a race we will win,” said the 52-year-old father of two. “This is not just a campaign, this is a preparation for leading the state of Tennessee.”
Supporters crowded the small building at 518 Georgia Ave., the site of Bob Corker’s campaign headquarters in his successful 2006 Senate race. Banners reading “Team Chattanooga Make A Difference,” and shirts stating “I Back Zach” were hard to miss as Chattanoogans gathered in support of Mr. Wamp.
Hogden Mainda, the campaign’s youth director, said Mr. Wamp’s dedication to education makes him a strong contender in the upcoming election. There are seven major candidates vying for Gov. Phil Bredesen’s seat, and voting will begin in the Aug. 5 primaries and conclude in the general election on Nov. 2.
Mr. Mainda said Mr. Wamp “has got a vision for the state of Tennessee” that includes two key issues: education reform and job creation.
“He’s got a lot of leadership skills that the state needs,” Mr. Mainda said.