Freshman U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann won a hard-fought Republican primary campaign Thursday night.
He declared victory just after 10:00 pm in Chattanooga. The song "Eye of the Tiger" played as Fleischmann took the stage with his wife and children.
Fleischmann defeated Scottie Mayfield, an executive with the dairy company that bears his family name, and Weston Wamp, the son of the former congressman, Zach Wamp.
With 88 percent of precincts reporting, Fleischmann had 27,660 votes, or 39 percent. Mayfield had 22,256, or 31 percent, and Wamp had, 19,668, or 28 percent.
Scottie Mayfield said his campaign support team has advised him not to concede the election tonight, because they say "something isn't right." Mayfield left Maddie Mays in downtown Athens, where he and his supporters watched the returns, just after 11:00 pm.
Mayfield's campaign spokesman, Bo Patten, said "There's no concession, and there's no further comment."
Weston Wamp released the following statement:
"I want to thank the thousands of people who voted for me today. What a rewarding experience it was to campaign for this office. I want to thank the people who supported me with their money and, especially, I want to thank the hundreds of volunteers who worked on my behalf. I wish the best to all of tonight's winners and will continue to be a voice for my generation as we move forward."
Fleischmann will meet Democrat Mary Headrick in the November primary. She defeated Bill Taylor.