Third District Congressional candidate Weston Wamp said he has garnered campaign funds that put him short of incumbent Chuck Fleischman by $160,000 for the GOP primary battle.
He claimed that the Fleischmann campaign got "excessive contributions" from some Cleveland, Tn., business leaders.
The Wamp staff said, "In addition to out-raising incumbent Congressman Chuck Fleischmann by $100,000 in the first quarter of 2014, the full fundraising reports of both campaigns show that Chattanooga businessman Weston Wamp cut Fleischmann’s fundraising advantage by more than half.
"Wamp reported more than $403,000 in first quarter contributions exclusively from individuals.
"First quarter fundraising reports reveal that Congressman Fleischmann’s $640,000 cash-on hand includes $110,000 designated for the general election that cannot be used in the primary. Only $2,600 of Wamp’s $373,000 cash-on-hand is designated for the general election.
"Therefore, Fleischmann‘s advantage over Wamp is only $160,000 in usable funds, despite
starting the campaign with an advantage of more than $350,000.
"True to form for a big spender in Washington, Fleischmann’s campaign spent more than twice as much money in the first quarter as Wamp’s. Fleischmann’s report listed more than $65,000 in disbursements while Wamp’s listed less than $30,000.
"Fleischmann again accepted an overwhelming amount of money from special interest PACs.
Fleischmann received $123,500 from PACs accounting for 40% of his total money raised.
"According to Congressman Fleischmann’s report, four contributions exceeded the legal limits under federal law by a total of $8,000. Two of the contributions came from the children of Cleveland pay day lender Allan Jones totaling $4,600 above the legal limit. The other two excessive contributions came from Cleveland road builder Stephen Wright and his wife totaling $3,400 above the legal limit."