Ex-Congressman's Son Runs Against 'Nice Guy' US Rep. in Tennessee

A Tennessee Republican running for Congress is hoping nice guys finish last.

Weston Wamp has announced his second bid to unseat a fellow Republican, incumbent Chuck Fleischmann, calling him a "nice guy" who has not done enough while in office, The Chattanoogan reported.

"He's a nice guy, but he has gone with the flow. He has failed to live up to the standard. There's a better alternative," Wamp said Monday in announcing his candidacy.

The son of a former congressman said, "This Congress is the least productive and least popular in our nation's history, and for three years now Chuck Fleischmann has simply gone along with the flow. He has done nothing to change Washington, nor has he been effective as a legislator on behalf of our district."

"I just feel a belief that I am more mature, more prepared, and more ready to serve than I was two years ago," Wamp said.

Wamp, who calls himself an independent Republican, lost to Fleischmann in 2012. He wants to raise a million dollars for his campaign.

He vowed, "I am going to give this thing every last ounce of blood, sweat, and tears for the next six and a half months. We will start traveling the district today."

Wamp currently is a director of communications at Lamp Post Group, a venture incubator starting new small businesses and creating jobs in Chattanooga.

Fleischmann's campaign responded Monday.

"Of course Weston Wamp is running. He never stopped running after the 2012 election – except for the few months he thought about running in another Tennessee congressional district. He comes from a family consumed with politics and is simply continuing that tradition; his announcement comes as no surprise," Fleischmann campaign spokesman Jordan Powell said.