Former Arkansas Governor and 2016 GOP presidential candidate Mike Huckabee announced his Tennessee leadership team Monday, which includes U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann and Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell. The Washington Post reported that Mr. Huckabee is building a "southern firewall".
"Governor Huckabee has been a steadfast fiscal and social conservative and has the proven executive leadership our country desperately needs," said Rep. Fleischmann, Huckabee for President Tennessee state chairman. "The people of Tennessee share his values. I am honored to be on his team and look forward to helping him to victory in Tennessee."
"I personally know Mike Huckabee's character as he successfully led the state of Arkansas as governor for 10 years," said Mayor Luttrell, Huckabee for President Tennessee co-chairman. "He is a man of high principles and fiscal integrity which are key ingredients needed to lead our nation and restore America to greatness."
Gov. Huckabee also released the following statement: "Tennessee is a key plank to our campaign strategy, and I'm energized by the groundswell of conservative support we have across the Volunteer State. Brick by brick, we have built a strong grassroots team that is swelling across the country that will power us through the Republican primary."
The Huckabee for President campaign also announced leadership in Arkansas, Georgia and North Carolina on Monday. The following is a list of endorsements and members of the "Huckabee for President Leadership Team" in Tennessee.
Tennessee:
U.S. Representative Chuck Fleischmann, Huckabee for President State Chairman
Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell, Jr., Huckabee for President State Co-Chairman
State Senator Ed Jackson, Co-Chair State Legislative Committee
State Representative Barry Doss, Co-Chair State Legislative Committee
State Representative Cameron Sexton, Co-Chair State Legislative Committee
Phil Cavendar, State Grassroots Chair
David Kustoff, State Director