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Chuck Fleischmann
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Tennessee's 3rd district
Incumbent
Assumed office January 3, 2011
Preceded by	Zach Wamp
Personal details
Born	Charles Joseph Fleischmann (1962-10-11) October 11, 1962 (age 62) New York City, New York, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Brenda Fleischmann ​(m. 1986)​
Children	3
Education	University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign (B.A.) University of Tennessee (J.D.)
Website	House website

Charles Joseph Fleischmann (/ˈflaɪʃmən/; born October 11, 1962) is an American politician who has been the U.S. Representative for Tennessee's 3rd congressional district since 2011. The district is based in Chattanooga and includes a large swath of East Tennessee, including Oak Ridge. He is a member of the Republican Party.

Early life, education, and law career

Fleischmann was born in Manhattan, New York City, New York, and is a resident of Ooltewah, an unincorporated suburban community east of Chattanooga. He is the son of Rose Marie (née Salvo) and Max Fleischmann, Jr. Fleischmann is a Roman Catholic.

Fleischmann received a B.A. in Political Science at the University of Illinois. He also received both Phi Beta Kappa and magna cum laude honors. He received his juris doctor at the University of Tennessee College of Law in Knoxville. He then moved to Chattanooga and in 1987 founded his own law firm, Fleischmann and Fleischmann. He is a former President at Chattanooga Bar Association and former Chairman of the Chattanooga Lawyers Pro Bono Committee.

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

2010

Republican incumbent Zach Wamp decided to retire in order to run for Governor, leaving this an open seat. Fleischmann entered a crowded 11-way Republican primary—the real contest in this heavily Republican district. None of the candidates had ever run for elected office before. Fleischmann's biggest competition came from former state GOP chairwoman Robin Smith. She was endorsed by former Speaker of the U.S. House Newt Gingrich and The Club for Growth. Fleischmann won the primary with a plurality of 30% of the vote. He defeated second-place finisher Smith by 1,415 votes. He won most of the counties in the district, which were mostly in the northern part of the district, while Smith won three counties: Rhea, Hamilton (home to Chattanooga), and Polk counties. Third place finisher Tim Gobble won only single county: Bradley.

His Democratic opponent in the general election was John Wolfe, a fellow attorney. Fleischmann faced Wolfe in his first case as an attorney. He said he won that case and the appeal "and now I want to defeat him a third time." His other opponent was independent candidate Savas Kyriakidis, an attorney, restaurant owner and Iraq War veteran. Fleischmann won the race with 57% of the vote.

2012

For his first re-election campaign, Fleischmann defeated Scottie Mayfield and Weston Wamp in the Republican primary, 39%-31%-29%. He faced Democrat Mary Headrick in the general election of November 2012 and won with a large majority of the vote.

2014

On November 4, 2014, Fincher faced Headrick in a rematch and won with 62.3% of the vote.

2016

On November 8, 2016, Fincher faced Democrat Melody Shekari and independent Rick Tyler in the general election. He won with 66.4% of the vote.

2018

On November 6, 2018, Fincher faced Democrat Danielle Mitchell and independent Rick Tyler in the general election. He won with 63.7% of the vote.

2020

On November 3, 2020, Fincher faced Democrat Meg Gorman in the general election. He won with 67.3% of the vote.

Tenure

Fleischmann has always been a firm opponent of gun control. He has received an "A" rating from the interest groups "National Rifle Association Political Fund Positions on Gun Rights" and "Gun Owners of America Positions on Gun Rights". He supports legislation that "allows licensed firearm owners to carry out their God-given right more freely" because "the right to carry a firearm is a right that allows law-abiding citizens to protect themselves and is crucial to the freedom of our country." On November 16, 2011 Fleischmann voted Yea on the "National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act of 2011, which would allow a resident of a state that allows concealed carry to possess a firearm while visiting another state that has different firearm laws.

Fleischmann's first vote in office was the 2011 motion "Repealing the Health Care Bill" which he supported.

In July 2011, Fleischmann originally supported Speaker John Boehner's debt limit bill, but he voted against the final debt ceiling agreement.

On November 16, 2011, Fleischmann voted for a bill that encourages the display of "In God We Trust" in public buildings and schools and reinforces it as the motto of the United States.

In November 2011, Fleischmann filed a new bill called the "Stop Green Initiative Abuse Act of 2011" which would repeal the Department of Energy's "Weatherization Assistance Program". This program attempts to assist low-income families in lowering their energy bills by adding energy efficient caulking and insulation to homes. A December 2010 report from the Tennessee Comptroller's Office concluded that funds for the program had been "wasted or misspent". Fleischmann's office estimates that if this bill passes it would save taxpayers $2.1 billion over the next decade. This is the third bill he has proposed.

In December 2020, Fleischmann was one of 126 Republican members of the House of Representatives who signed an amicus brief in support of Texas v. Pennsylvania, a lawsuit filed at the United States Supreme Court contesting the results of the 2020 presidential election, in which Joe Biden prevailed over incumbent Donald Trump. The Supreme Court declined to hear the case on the basis that Texas lacked standing under Article III of the Constitution to challenge the results of the election held by another state.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued a statement that called signing the amicus brief an act of "election subversion." Additionally, Pelosi reprimanded Fleischmann and the other House members who supported the lawsuit: "The 126 Republican Members that signed onto this lawsuit brought dishonor to the House. Instead of upholding their oath to support and defend the Constitution, they chose to subvert the Constitution and undermine public trust in our sacred democratic institutions." New Jersey Representative Bill Pascrell, citing section three of the 14th Amendment, called for Pelosi to not seat Fleischmann and the other Republicans who signed the brief supporting the suit. Pascrell argued that "the text of the 14th Amendment expressly forbids Members of Congress from engaging in rebellion against the United States. Trying to overturn a democratic election and install a dictator seems like a pretty clear example of that."

Committee assignments

• House Committee on Appropriations (Representative Fleischmann serves on the House Subcommittee on Energy and Water Appropriations)
• United States House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security Ranking member named in 2019.

Caucus memberships

• United States Congressional International Conservation Caucus
• U.S.-Japan Caucus

Electoral history

Personal life

Fleischmann was diagnosed with COVID-19 on January 10, 2021.

Fleischmann is married to Brenda M. Fleischmann. They have three sons, and live in Ooltewah.

References

1. "Charles Joseph Fleischmann – a Chattanooga, Tennessee (TN) Collections Lawyer". Pview.findlaw.com. Retrieved 2013-08-01.
2. "Obituaries: Bordas, Louisa Marie". The Journal News. 8 August 2002. Retrieved 2012-02-28.
3. ^ "Fleischmann, Chuck, (1962 - )". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. n.d. Retrieved 7 May 2019.
4. "Tennessee Congressional Candidates, Per District". AP.org. 8 August 2014. Archived from the original on 10 March 2016. Retrieved 2016-03-04.
5. "Fleischmann Captures 3rd District U.S. House Race". The Chattanoogan. 2 November 2010. Retrieved 1 August 2013.
6. "Chuck Fleischmann for Congress". ChuckForCongress.com. n.d. Archived from the original on 2012-07-30. Retrieved 28 February 2012.
7. "Members of Congress: Religious Affiliations". PewForum.org. Pew Research Center. 5 January 2015. Retrieved 7 May 2019.
8. Schelzig, Erik (22 November 2010). "Command eludes TN GOP conservatives". Kingsport Times-News. Associated Press. Retrieved 7 May 2019.
9. "TN – District 03 – R Primary Race – Aug 05, 2010". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 2013-08-01.
10. "Republican Primary Unofficial Results" (PDF). SOS.TN.gov. Tennessee Election Commission. Retrieved 7 May 2019.
11. "Fleischmann Says First Aim Is To "Say Goodby [sic] To Nancy Pelosi"". The Chattanoogan. 30 August 2010. Archived from the original on 29 March 2017.
12. Hightower, Cliff (2010-11-07). "Tea party activity leaves some Republicans bitter". Chattanooga Times Free Press.
13. "Election Results Summary of Tennessee Races". MyFox Memphis. 2010-11-03. Archived from the original on 2011-09-29.
14. Miller, Joshua (August 2, 2012). "Tennessee: Chuck Fleischmann Wins Primary". Roll Call. Retrieved 8 August 2012.
15. Carroll, Chris (August 3, 2012). "Chuck Fleischmann fends off GOP challengers". Times Free Press. Retrieved 8 August 2012.
16. Chris Carroll (October 5, 2011). "John Boehner to attend Chuck Fleischmann event". Chattanooga Times Free Press.
17. Blood, Michael R.; Riccardi, Nicholas (December 5, 2020). "Biden officially secures enough electors to become president". AP News. Archived from the original on December 8, 2020. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
18. Liptak, Adam (2020-12-11). "Supreme Court Rejects Texas Suit Seeking to Subvert Election". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on December 11, 2020. Retrieved 2020-12-12.
19. "Order in Pending Case" (PDF). Supreme Court of the United States. 2020-12-11. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 11, 2020. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
20. Diaz, Daniella. "Brief from 126 Republicans supporting Texas lawsuit in Supreme Court". CNN. Archived from the original on December 12, 2020. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
21. Smith, David (2020-12-12). "Supreme court rejects Trump-backed Texas lawsuit aiming to overturn election results". The Guardian. Retrieved 2020-12-13.
22. "Pelosi Statement on Supreme Court Rejecting GOP Election Sabotage Lawsuit" (Press release). Speaker Nancy Pelosi. December 11, 2020. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
23. Williams, Jordan (2020-12-11). "Democrat asks Pelosi to refuse to seat lawmakers supporting Trump's election challenges". TheHill. Archived from the original on December 12, 2020. Retrieved 2020-12-12.
24. "Our Members". U.S. House of Representatives International Conservation Caucus. n.d. Archived from the original on 1 August 2018. Retrieved 1 August 2018.
25. "Members". USJapanCaucus-Castro.house.gov. U.S.-Japan Congressional Caucus. n.d. Retrieved 11 December 2018.
26. "Congressman Chuck Fleischmann tests positive for COVID-19". WBIR. No. 10 January 2021. Retrieved 11 January 2021.

External links

• Congressman Chuck Fleischmann official U.S. House website
• Chuck Fleischmann for Congress
• Template:Dmoz
• Appearances on C-SPAN
• Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Financial information (federal office) at the Federal Election Commission
• Legislation sponsored at the Library of Congress
• Profile at Vote Smart

Articles

• "Fleischmann Introduces Bill To Terminate Government Weatherization Program"
• "Boehner Struggles for Votes"

• 1962 births
• 21st-century American politicians
• American people of Austrian descent
• American people of Italian descent
• Living people
• Members of the United States House of Representatives from Tennessee
• People from Ooltewah, Tennessee
• Tennessee lawyers
• Tennessee Republicans
• Republican Party members of the United States House of Representatives
• University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign alumni
• University of Tennessee College of Law alumni
• American gun rights activists