With less than a week until the state primary, one of the most visible races is the third congressional seat, and attack ads hitting the air in recent weeks are setting a sharper tone.
Seven candidates, including incumbent Chuck Fleischmann, are hoping to win the chance to represent thousands of East Tennesseans in Congress.
Most of them spoke at a forum for Campbell County veterans Friday afternoon.
An ad endorsed by the Mayfield campaign tries to link Fleischmann's voting record with President Obama.
"We felt like that it was fair to talk about his voting record," explained Mayfield Friday.
He says the ad came about in response to his critics who questioned whether Mayfield differed on the issues from the incumbent.
Fleischmann called the ad "desperate" and "fictitious".
"I've kept my commitment as a fiscal and social conservative in Congress," said Fleischmann. "I stand on my record."
And he says he has the credentials to back it up.
"I'm endorsed by the NRA, National Right to Life, rock solid top 25 conservative in congress," said Fleischmann.
An anti-Mayfield ad airing this week shows a melting ice cream cone and says Mayfield may be good for the ice cream business, but not Congress.
The ad is not endorsed by any candidate.
"We cannot control the independent actions of 3rd party groups," said Fleischmann.
25-year-old candidate Weston Wamp says the recent ads make him wonder if maturity comes with age.
"I am running against two nice men who unfortunately represent the status quo in American politics. When the going gets tough, they blame somebody else," said Wamp.
He says his campaign aired six ads, all focused on his candidacy.
Ron Bhalla is the fourth Republican running for that seat. He did not attend Friday.
The Democratic primary is also contested in the third district with Mary Headrick and Bill Taylor facing off Thursday.
Independent candidate Matthew Deniston is also in the race.