U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, R-Tenn.ELECTION DATESQualifying deadline: April 5, 2012Primary: Aug. 2, 2012General: Nov. 6, 2012Source: Hamilton County Election Commission
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Robin Smith
J.B. BennettIn 1996, freshman Congressman Zach Wamp rode the Newt Gingrich wave, breezing through an uncontested Republican primary and crushing the Democratic nominee to secure a second term.
Fifteen years later, it’s a different freshman and a different story.
Nine months into U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann’s legislative career, Weston Wamp – Wamp’s 24-year-old son – and perennial GOP hopeful Jean Howard-Hill have announced they will challenge the incumbent. Two other prominent Republicans, J.B. Bennett and Robin Smith, are exploring similar 2012 bids against Fleischmann.