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May 11, 2008
Sizing up Wamp's opposition
U.S. Representative Zach Wamp has not faced a well-supported challenger in any of his re-election bids. Tennessee's congressional districts are gerrymandered enough; but the Third District was represented by a Democrat for twenty years (former Congresswoman Marilyn Lloyd). Rep. Wamp seized the open seat during the 1994 Republican takeover, and has easily glided back into office ever since, even in the 2006 pendulum swing.
But could it be different this time around, since Wamp has made his intentions quite clear regarding the 2010 campaign for Governor of Tennessee, and as such will be a "lame duck" congressman? Let's check into who is running against him. Unlike the First, Seventh, and Ninth Districts, there is no primary challenger.
There is a ballot-qualified independent candidate named Jean Howard-Hill. Ms. Howard-Hill teaches Political Science at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC), and has run for this office at least once before. Judging by past vote totals, though, she will not pose a threat this time around. In 2004, she received less than one percent of the vote.
Another independent candidate is running a write-in campaign. June Griffin of Dayton is an infamous gadfly, and gained even more notoriety a few years ago when Ed Helms (formerly of Comedy Central's The Daily Show, and now appearing on The Office) visited Dayton and recorded an hilarious (to many) satirical report on the town.
Now to the Democratic Party, which occasionally has put up more or less respectable candidates in the past (Will Calloway, 2000; and John Wolfe, 2004, respectively), but has not funded any of them with any gusto. It is somewhat surprising that an experienced politician, such as retiring state Senator Tommy Kilby of Wartburg, or even brand-new state Senator Andy Berke of Chattanooga, is not taking Wamp on this year, given the political climate and Wamp's intentions.
The only Democratic opponent of which I am aware is Doug Vandagriff, who, like Howard-Hill and Griffin above, is a repeat candidate for this office. I don't know anything about Mr. Vandagriff, except having heard through the grapevine that he is "a nice guy." That may be; but will he present a serious challenge to the incumbent? Such hardly seems likely.
In conclusion, it seems that Rep. Wamp will be able to retain his position, as nominally as that may be, as a great launching pad into the 2010 GOP gubernatorial primary. It could be that the good citizens of this district wish it to be so; but I'm a little puzzled at their refusal to even pretend to fight him for it.
US House Elections | By joe lance | 10:15 PM
Comments
So, you're saying the people of the Seventh District should oust Lincoln Davis, who has already declared he is running for governor in 2010, right?
Posted by: Bill Hobbs at May 12, 2008 08:17 AM
"Oust" may be a strong word, as it is left to the voters; but seriously challenge, yes. And I'm assuming you meant Fourth District; although if Congressman Blackburn also intends to run for Governor (which I don't believe is the case), the same would apply to her.
Posted by: joe lance at May 12, 2008 09:35 AM