Congressman Chuck Fleischmann said Thursday he must travel back to Washington, D.C. "to cast my vote to fully fund our Defense Department" and would have to cancel a planned event with Mike Huckabee.
The defense vote was originally scheduled for Friday, but was rescheduled.
He said he will work to reschedule the Huckabee events.
Rep. Fleischmann said, "I made a commitment to the people of East Tennessee to do the job they elected me to do, and nothing is more important than ensuring our national defenses are adequately funded, and our men and women in uniform have the resources necessary to carryout their brave missions while protecting us.
"I am thankful Governor Huckabee found time in his busy schedule to come campaign with me, and I apologize to him for this change, but I must return to Washington to cast my vote."
"This is the correct decision by my friend Chuck, and one of the reasons I support him.
He is committed to serving the people of East Tennessee and making sure our national defenses are funded. I look forward to working on making it to Tennessee in the near future. Be sure to cast your early vote for my friend Chuck Fleischmann," Governor Huckabee said.