Chuck Fleischmann kicked off his campaign for Tennessee’s 3rd Congressional District by telling supporters it’s time for conservatives to go on the offense.
Speaking to several hundred people who gathered Tuesday evening at the Chattanooga Choo Choo, the Republican likened politics to a football game.
“We’ve been scored on twice – in two election cycles – by liberals who now control both houses of Congress and the White House,” said attorney Fleischmann.
“We need to take the kickoff and run it down the field. We’re going to tell Nancy (Pelosi), Barney (Frank) and Harry (Reid) that it’s time to stop what they’re doing to America.”
The event, which drew supporters from across the 11-county district, was also the initial fund raising opportunity for Mr. Fleischmann, who has practiced law in Chattanooga for the past 23 years.
“With me you’re going to get a fiscal conservative and a social conservative. I will protect your Second Amendment right to bear arms. I will protect your First Amendment rights to pray. We need to make sure that we uphold the entire Bill of Rights,” he said.
Several public figures attended, including Hamilton County Commissioner Bill Hullander, who introduced Mr. Fleischmann.
“I don’t need to tell many of you what a hard-working person Chuck is. We’re lucky to have someone like him who is willing to run for Congress. He’s a motivator,” Commissioner Hullander declared.
Mr. Fleischmann introduced his campaign manager, Chip Saltsman, who most recently managed Mike Huckabee’s successful presidential primary win in Tennessee, and who was instrumental in the past campaign victories of Senator Bill Frist and Governor Don Sundquist.
“We’re so fortunate that Chip thinks our campaign is important enough to get involved,” Mr. Fleischmann said.
“It’s going to be a hotly contested race in both the primary and general elections,” Mr. Fleischmann predicted. “But I believe we can win because when I look across this room I can see that we have the better team. With teamwork we’re going to make a better America.”