Zach Wamp

Last updated

Wamp speaking during his campaign, at the 2010 Tennessee Governor's Luncheon Governor's Luncheon 2010 IMG 3213 (4588379668).jpg
Wamp speaking during his campaign, at the 2010 Tennessee Governor's Luncheon

On January 5, 2009, Wamp announced that he would run for Governor of Tennessee in the Republican primaries. [13] In the primary, he placed second with 29% of the vote.

On July 23, 2010, Hotline OnCall published statements made by Wamp in an interview, in which he said that the health care reforms proposed during the Obama administration had placed state governments in "an untenable position". Wamp also suggested the possibility of secession arising from opposition to the federal government, stating "I hope that the American people will go to the ballot box in 2010 and 2012 so that states are not forced to consider separation from this government", as well as expressing support for Texas Governor Rick Perry's similar statements regarding secession. [14] Wamp's statements drew national attention, prompting Wamp to state that his remarks were misinterpreted, and that he did not support secession. [15] Opponent Ron Ramsey labeled the remarks Wamp's "over-the-top temperament and overheated, sometimes crazy rhetoric". [16]

Wamp was unsuccessful in his bid to be the Republican candidate for Tennessee's Governor, losing to Bill Haslam in the August 5, 2010 open primary. [17]

After Congress

After leaving office, he became involved in political reform efforts, including joining nine other former members of Congress to co-author a 2021 opinion editorial advocating reforms of Congress. [18]

Electoral history

Zach Wamp
Zach wamp official.jpg
Member of the U.S.HouseofRepresentatives
from Tennessee's 3rd district
In office
January 3, 1995 January 3, 2011
Tennessee's 3rd congressional district : Results 1992–2006 [19]
YearRepublicanVotesPctDemocraticVotesPct3rd PartyPartyVotesPct3rd PartyPartyVotesPct
1992 Zach Wamp102,76347% Marilyn Lloyd 105,69349%Carol Hagan Independent 4,4332%Pete Melcher Independent 2,0481%*
1994 Zach Wamp84,58352%Randy Button73,83946%Thomas Morrell Independent 1,9291%Richard M. Sims Independent 1,4981%*
1996 Zach Wamp113,40856%Charles N. Jolly85,71443%William A. Cole Independent 1,002<1%Walt Ward Independent 718<1%*
1998 Zach Wamp75,10066%James M. Lewis37,14433%Richard M. Sims Independent 1,4681%*
2000 Zach Wamp139,84064%William Callaway75,78535%Trudy Austin Libertarian 3,2351%*
2002 Zach Wamp112,25465% John Wolfe 58,82434%William Bolen Independent 1,7431%Timothy A. Sevier Independent 9471%*
2004 Zach Wamp166,15465% John Wolfe 84,29533%June Griffin Independent 3,0181%Doug Vandagriff Independent 1,6961%*
2006 Zach Wamp130,79166%Brent Benedict68,32434%*
2008 Zach Wamp184,78769%Doug Vandagriff73,03027%Jean Howard-Hill Independent 4,8462%Ed Choate Independent 3,7491%*
*Write-in and minor candidate notes: In 1992, Marjorie M. Martin received 1,593 votes (1%) and write-ins received 3 votes. In 1994, write-ins received 4 votes. In 1996, Thomas Ed Morrell received 304 votes; Richard M. "Dick" Sims received 294 votes; and write-ins received 4 votes. In 1998, write-ins received 74 votes. In 2000, write-ins received 80 votes. In 2002, write-ins received 153 votes. In 2004, Jean Howard-Hill received 1,473 votes (1%).

Personal life

Zach and his wife, Kim, have two children and five grandchildren. His son Weston currently serves as the mayor of Hamilton County, Tennessee. His daughter Coty Wamp currently serves as the District Attorney General. [20]

References

  1. "Wamp emphasizes 'second chance' after drug past". Knoxville News Sentinel. December 10, 2008. Archived from the original on October 14, 2012. Retrieved July 29, 2010.
  2. Humphrey, Tom (July 11, 2010). "On the Campaign Trail With Zach Wamp". Humphrey on the Hill. Archived from the original on March 28, 2020. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  3. Stone, Andrea (April 12, 2006). "Term-limit pledges get left behind". USA Today. Retrieved July 29, 2010.
  4. Wang, Herman (September 21, 2006). "Benedict criticizes Wamp for violating term limit pledge". Chattanooga Times Free Press. Archived from the original on March 18, 2012. Retrieved July 29, 2010.
  5. Wolf, Richard (April 1, 2008). "Republicans of '94 revolution reflect on '06". USA Today.
  6. "Chattanooga: New lock takes shape at Chickamauga Dam". Chattanooga Times Free Press. August 11, 2008. Archived from the original on July 17, 2011. Retrieved July 29, 2010.
  7. Flessner, Dave (August 12, 2008). "Tennessee: Different funding source may be needed to finish project". Chattanooga Times Free Press. Archived from the original on September 21, 2011. Retrieved July 29, 2010.
  8. Flessner, Dave (March 14, 2008). "Waterways funding shortfall puts squeeze on Chickamauga Lock". Chattanooga Times Free Press. Archived from the original on February 27, 2010. Retrieved July 29, 2010.
  9. Legge, Joe (August 3, 2010). "Tennessee Governor's Race Candidate Profile: Zach Wamp". WDEF-TV . Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved August 22, 2010.
  10. Wilson, Matt (April 5, 2009). "Tennessee: Bailout backers got gifts from banks". Chattanooga Times Free Press . Archived from the original on June 15, 2009. Retrieved May 28, 2009.
  11. "Wamp Receives ACU Conservative Honor". The Chattanoogan . May 7, 2010. Archived from the original on May 12, 2010. Retrieved August 22, 2010.
  12. VandeHei, Jim; Amy Goldstein (September 30, 2005). "A Scramble To Fill Vacuum Left by DeLay". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 29, 2010.
  13. Wilson, Matt (January 5, 2009). "Update: Rep. Wamp will seek governor's seat, asks local Pachyderm Club for support". Chattanooga Times Free Press . Retrieved January 5, 2009.[ permanent dead link ]
  14. Roem, Dan (July 23, 2010). "Health Care Law Has Wamp Hoping Against Secession". National Journal . Retrieved July 29, 2010.
  15. Humphrey, Tom (July 23, 2010). "Wamp says he does not want secession". Knoxville News Sentinel . Retrieved July 29, 2010.
  16. Kolawole, Emi (July 23, 2010). "GOP Rep. Zach Wamp talks of secession". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on October 5, 2012.
  17. Cliff Hightower and Andy Sher (August 6, 2010). "It's Haslam vs. McWherter". Chattanooga Times Free Press .
  18. "We Know Congress Needs Reform". West Virginia Gazette. August 13, 2021.
  19. "Election Statistics". Office of the Clerk of the House of Representatives. Retrieved January 10, 2008.
  20. Miller, Joshua (August 2, 2012). "Tennessee: Chuck Fleischmann Wins Primary". RollCall. Archived from the original on August 6, 2012. Retrieved August 8, 2012.
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the  U.S. House of Representatives
from Tennessee's 3rd congressional district

1995–2011
Succeeded by
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded byas Former US Representative Order of precedence of the United States
as Former US Representative
Succeeded byas Former US Representative