Fleischmann: Wamp a ‘showhorse,’ not ‘workhorse’

Rep. Chuck Fleischmann (R-Tenn.) is going on the attack against primary challenger Weston Wamp the day after allegations surfaced about Wamp’s campaign finances. 

In a pair of TV ads shared first with The Hill, Fleischmann hits Wamp, the son of former Rep. Zach Wamp (R-Tenn.), over comments the 27-year-old venture capitalist made supporting a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants, and slamming him as a “showhorse” on the trail. 

{mosads}It’s a critical final stretch for the two ahead of their Aug. 7 rematch, with early voting beginning in the Volunteer State this weekend. 

“Crisis,” which starts airing Friday on Knoxville broadcast and cable, begins with images of Central American children at the southern border, saying “Illegal immigrants [are] flooding into the U.S. while President Obama does nothing. [WATCH THE AD HERE]

The ad then has clips of Wamp saying, “You’ll rarely hear me criticize the president. … We need to find a pathway for them to be legal.” 

“Weston Wamp supports amnesty for illegal immigrants who flout our laws and won’t demand action from President Obama to secure our borders. On the immigration crisis, we can’t trust Weston Wamp,” the ad says. 

A second spot, “Work,” airing on Chattanooga broadcast and cable, slams Wamp’s unorthodox approach on the campaign trail, saying “some guys talk about why they’re so great” and “do silly things to get attention,” pointing to an RV he purchased for his campaign. [WATCH THE AD HERE]

“These sort of fellas are showhorses. To fight Washington, we need a workhorse. We’ve got one in Chuck Fleischmann,” the narrator says. “Public service isn’t about famous last names or looking cool — it’s about the country’s future.”

The bitter rematch between Wamp and Fleischmann has gotten increasingly nasty in the past few weeks. Wamp placed third in the 2012 primary behind local dairy magnante Scottie Mayfield, who has since endorsed Fleischmann. 

On Thursday, a local businessman filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission over salary he’s still been receiving while campaigning after there were conflicting statements from his company’s partners about whether he is on paid leave. 

“We are very confident we are in compliance, and I feel very comfortable that I’ve worked as this campaign has unfolded,” Wamp told the Chattanooga Times Free Press.