Candidates

Results

The incumbent, Chuck Fleischmann (R), retained his seat, defeating the Democratic challenger, Mary Margaret Headrick. Fleishmann raised more than 1.3 million dollars for his campaign, ten times the amount Headrick raised. This will be Fleischmann’s second term.

Winner:

Chuck Fleischmann (Republican)

Congressman Chuck Fleischmann was elected to the second district in 2010 after Zach Wamp retired to run for Governor, leaving the seat open. He serves on two committees, the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.

Fleischmann attended the University of Illinois where he received his undergraduate degree in political science while also receiving both Phi Beta and Magna Cum Laude honors. He eventually went to the University of Tennessee law school where he obtained his Doctor of Jurisprudence. In 1987 he moved to Chattanooga and founded his own law firm, Fleischmann and Fleischmann.

Website: fleischmann.house.gov

Social Media

Facebook: repchuck

Twitter: @RepChuck. 849 tweets, 2,847 followers

Finances

Top PAC donors:

Political PACs: $35,000
Industries: $12,500

Top Donors All PAC Donors PDF

Challengers:

Mary Margaret Headrick (Democrat)

Dr. Mary Margaret Headrick is a physician and consultant. She received a BA in Mathematics in 1970 and a MS in Computer Sciences in 1976, both from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. She earned her MD from the University of Tennessee Center for Health Sciences in 1983.

Headrick has worked in a range of professional positions: Research Assistant, University of Tennessee Physics Department, 1970-1971; Math Teacher, Bearden Junior High School, 1971-1972; Computer Analyst, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, 1972-1979; Physician, University of Tennessee Student Center, 1984-1988; and Medical Director, Interfaith Health Clinic, 1989-1990.

Website: www.maryheadrick.com/

Social Media

Facebook: none

Twitter: none

Finances

Matthew Deniston (Independent)

Matthew Deniston is co-owner of Terra Auld Farm in Ooltewah, Tennessee. He served in the 1/75 Ranger Regiment, United States Army, 2003-2007 and 230th BSC, United States Army National Guard, 2007-2011. Deniston attended South University in Georgia.

Website: none

Social Media

Facebook: Rangerdball

Twitter: none

Finances: None reported

* Positions on issues are based on statements from the candidates’ websites, social media and/or voting records. If the candidate did not express a clear and consistent opinion on an issue, he or she is listed as taking no position.

The charts are not intended to provide an in-depth analysis of a candidate’s platform. Visit the candidates’ websites or social media sites, if available, for more information on their positions on these issues.

• The Affordable Care Act, popularly called Obamacare, is a set of laws that prevents people from being excluded from health insurance coverage but requires everyone to purchase health insurance. It was enacted on March 23, 2010, with various provisions being phased in at different times over the next several years.
• The Arizona immigration law is legislation passed in Arizona that requires police officers, while enforcing other laws, to question the immigration status of those suspected of being in the country illegally. The two key issues are whether it is constitutional to require citizens to prove their citizenship to law enforcement officers, and whether it is constitutional for a state to have its own immigration policy separate from the federal government.
• The Stop the War on Coal Act was passed by the House on Sept. 20, 2012, and would significantly deregulate the coal industry from environmental statutes. It would prevent the Environmental Protection Agency from regulating greenhouse gas emissions from power plants and other sources, and prevent rules on the storage and disposal of coal ash and limit Clean Water Act rules. It would also prevent any new rules regulating mountaintop removal coal mining or toxic air emissions standards for coal-fired power plants. Proponents argue that new regulations will cause energy prices to rise.
• The Norquist no new taxes pledge: Grover Norquist is the founder and president of an anti-tax advocacy group called Americans for Tax Reform, which petitions members of congress to sign a pledge to never raise taxes under any circumstances.