Smith Campaign Addresses Fleischmann Pressure Tactics

HIXSON, TN – With publication of reports today claiming that Chattanooga Trial Lawyer Chuck Fleischmann has privately asked other Third District Republican candidates to drop out of the race and endorse him, the campaign of Robin Smith commented on the desperate action.  "First inaccurate smears, and now backroom deals.  These actions are characteristic of a self-serving politician who only parrots the talking points of changing Washington to simply get elected,” said Smith campaign spokesman Mark Winslow.

In a statement released today, Dr. Jean Howard-Hill claimed she had been contacted by the Fleischmann campaign with a request that she drop out the race to ensure Robin Smith will not win the Republican nomination on August 5. In her statement, Dr. Howard-Hill said, "Granted, there may be those as Fleischmann suggests who may not want to see Robin Smith elected, but nevertheless, this is not how the political process should play out in real time. It wreaks of politics as usual, which should trouble and concern every voter within the 3rd District.”

“The campaign of trial lawyer Chuck Fleischmann managed to find a new low today,” Winslow continued. "Robin Smith has spent 13 months speaking to voters, standing on issue specifics and presenting a legislative plan that gets government out of the way of job creation, reduces federal spending and repeals ObamaCare. Fleischmann’s campaign seems to have one goal: tear others down to get elected.”

“We agree with Dr. Hill that this example of a do-anything, say-anything approach to getting elected is ruining politics and smacks of a complete disregard for the election process. Robin Smith is confident that these exposed tactics are being rejected and challenges  Fleischmann’s handlers to pull down his untruthful negative ads."

"Dr. Howard-Hill is to be commended both for the respect she has shown to our democratic process and for her willingness to bring this issue into public view. Tennesseans can be proud of the stand she has taken today.”