Former U.S. Congressman Zach Wamp endorsed Bill Lee for governor on Monday, the Lee campaign announced.
The endorsement from Congressman Wamp, a Chattanooga Republican, comes after last week’s endorsement from the conservative Free Press editorial page at The Chattanooga Times Free Press.
“It is an honor to have the support of Congressman Zach Wamp, a conservative leader for Tennessee,” said Lee. “Zach has always stood on conservative principles and I am humbled and grateful to have his support.”
Wamp will campaign with Lee on Monday, the Times Free Press said. Early voting began last Friday.
GOP race frontrunners U.S. Rep. Diane Black of Gallatin and Knoxville businessman Randy Boyd are fighting with television, radio, direct mail and digital ads. Tennessee House Speaker Beth Harwell, R-Nashville, is the fourth major GOP candidate.
In his endorsement, Wamp said the following:
“As a conservative who loves Tennessee, believes in the nobility of public service and desires our leaders to carry themselves with dignity and honor, I have decided to step forward and wholeheartedly endorse Bill Lee for Governor of Tennessee.
While I originally intended to not take a public stand in this primary race, I have watched closely the tactics, tone and campaign activity of the four GOP candidates. Without question, the most positive vision, organization and campaign has come from Bill Lee. No wonder so many in the Gospel and Country music industry are supporting Bill Lee. No wonder so many plumbers, farmers and veterans are supporting Bill Lee. No wonder his campaign now has more momentum than any other.
Bill Lee has run a positive campaign on the future of our great state. He and his campaign team have not sought to tear down other candidates, only to lift up the people of our state to an even higher place. I am convinced that only Bill Lee can take our beloved state of Tennessee to a new era of decency and honor.
I encourage all of my former supporters, my friends and fellow Tennesseans to get out and vote in the GOP primary for the next Governor of Tennessee Bill Lee.”
Wamp served in the U.S. House of Representatives for Tennessee’s Third Congressional District from 1995 until 2011.
More information about Lee and his campaign can be found here.
