Bradley County Sheriff Tim Gobble told the Pachyderm Club on Monday that he would have voted against federal financial bailouts, saying it "moves us so much closer to European-style socialism."
The candidate for the Third District seat in Congress being vacated by Zach Wamp also came out strongly against illegal immigration.
He said his office last year arrested 49 illegal aliens on other charges and turned them over to the INS for deportation. He said he expects the number will be as many or higher this year under a special program with the federal government.
Asked about building a fence along the border, he said, "If it takes a fence to close the border, let's build it."
He said a leaky border can let in potential terrorists and gang members.
Sheriff Gobble said he is concerned that high taxes and over-regulation are stifling business. He said federal, state and local taxes now take 40 percent of a worker's income.
"Folks, that's too high," he said.
He said he would work to eliminate "both the death tax and the capital gains tax."
Sheriff Gobble said he supports continuing the technology corridor effort launched by Rep. Wamp and he said he favors government investing in infrastructure such as the Chickamauga Lock replacement.
On high-speed rail, he said, "I might consider it if it can be done in a cost-effective way."
He said he backs a well-funded, well-equipped, well-trained military and is opposed to the U.S. turning over security decisions to the United Nations or other international groups.
The candidate said he believes "marriage is between one man and one woman" and that he is for protecting the rights of the unborn.
He also said he backs Second Amendment rights to bear arms.