Chuck Fleischmann

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American politician (born 1962)

title: "Chuck Fleischmann" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["1962-births", "living-people", "21st-century-united-states-representatives", "21st-century-roman-catholics", "american-christian-zionists", "american-gun-rights-activists", "american-people-of-austrian-jewish-descent", "american-people-of-english-descent", "american-people-of-hungarian-jewish-descent", "american-people-of-italian-descent", "american-roman-catholics", "catholics-from-tennessee", "people-from-ooltewah,-tennessee", "politicians-from-chattanooga,-tennessee", "politicians-from-manhattan", "republican-party-united-states-representatives-from-tennessee", "tennessee-lawyers", "tennessee-republicans", "university-of-illinois-urbana-champaign-alumni", "university-of-tennessee-college-of-law-alumni"] description: "American politician (born 1962)" topic_path: "law" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chuck_Fleischmann" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary American politician (born 1962) ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox officeholder"]

FieldValue
nameChuck Fleischmann
imageChuck Fleischmann 118th Congress.jpg
stateTennessee
district
term_startJanuary 3, 2011
predecessorZach Wamp
birth_nameCharles Joseph Fleischmann
birth_date
birth_placeNew York City, New York, U.S.
partyRepublican
spouse
children3
educationUniversity of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (BA)
University of Tennessee (JD)
website

| | module | | | caption | Official portrait, 2023 | | signature | Chuck Fleischmann (Signature).png | ::

| name = Chuck Fleischmann | image = Chuck Fleischmann 118th Congress.jpg | state = Tennessee | district = | term_start = January 3, 2011 | term_end = | predecessor = Zach Wamp | successor = | birth_name = Charles Joseph Fleischmann | birth_date = | birth_place = New York City, New York, U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | party = Republican | spouse = | children = 3 | education = University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (BA) University of Tennessee (JD) | website =

| module = | caption = Official portrait, 2023 | signature = Chuck Fleischmann (Signature).png Charles Joseph Fleischmann ( ; born October 11, 1962) is an American attorney and politician who has been the U.S. representative for since 2011. The district is based in Chattanooga and includes a large part 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, 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 of Italian, English, and Austro-Hungarian descent, with some Jewish heritage on his grandfather’s side, and is a distant relative of Harry Houdini.

Fleischmann graduated from Elk Grove High School in Elk Grove Village, Illinois. He was the first member of his family to attend college.

Early career

After graduating from law school, Fleischmann moved to Chattanooga, Tennessee, and founded an independent law firm, Fleischmann and Fleischmann, in 1987. He is a former president of the Chattanooga Bar Association and former chair of the Chattanooga Lawyers Pro Bono Committee.

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

;2010 Republican incumbent Zach Wamp retired in order to run for governor, leaving this an open seat. Fleischmann entered an 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 chair Robin Smith, who was considered the front-runner. 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, defeating 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 Bradley County, his home county.

Fleischmann's Democratic opponent in the general election was John Wolfe, a fellow attorney. Fleischmann had 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 In his first reelection campaign, Fleischmann defeated Scottie Mayfield and Weston Wamp in the Republican primary, 39%-31%-29%. He defeated Democratic nominee Mary Headrick in the general election with a large majority of the vote.

;2014 On November 4, 2014, Fleischmann defeated Headrick again with 62.3% of the vote.

;2016 On November 8, 2016, Fleischmann defeated Democrat Melody Shekari and independent Rick Tyler with 66.4% of the vote.

;2018 On November 6, 2018, Fleischmann defeated Democrat Danielle Mitchell and independent Rick Tyler with 63.7% of the vote.

;2020 On November 3, 2020, Fleischmann defeated Democrat Meg Gorman with 67.3% of the vote.

;2022

On November 8, 2022, Fleischmann defeated Democrat Meg Gorman with 68.4% of the vote.

;2024

On November 5, 2024, Fleischmann defeated Democrat Jack Allen with 67.5% of the vote.

Tenure

In October 2021, Business Insider reported that Fleischmann had violated the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge (STOCK) Act of 2012, a federal transparency and conflict-of-interest law, by failing to properly disclose the purchase of stock in DraftKings Inc. and the sale of stock in Zimmer Biomet, each worth up to $15,000.

In July 2024, the Chattanooga Times Free Press reported that Fleischmann declined to attend a town hall debate with opponents Jack Allen (D) and Stephen King (I). The article further mentioned that Fleischmann had not debated an opponent since October of 2014, when he debated Mary Headrick (D). Later, in September of 2025, Fleischmann said he intends to "never" host a town hall.

Political positions

Fleischmann tends to vote conservative. The conservative policy advocacy organization, Heritage Action, gave Fleischmann a lifetime score of 74 percent.{{cite web |url=https://heritageaction.com/scorecard/members/f000459 | title = Rep. Chuck Fleischmann |author= | date = | website = | publisher = Heritage Action | access-date = March 8, 2024 | quote = |url=https://www.freedomworks.org/scorecard/legislator/412476/ | title = Chuck Fleischmann |author= | work = FreedomWorks | date = | publisher = FreedomWorks | access-date = March 8, 2024 | quote = The largest federation of unions in the United States, the AFL-CIO, gave Fleischmann a lifetime score of 12 percent.{{cite web |url=https://aflcio.org/scorecard/legislators/chuck-fleischmann | title = Rep. Chuck Fleischmann |author= | date = | website = | publisher = AFL-CIO | access-date = March 8, 2024 | quote =

Economy

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

In November 2011, Fleischmann filed a new bill, 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 Tennessee Comptroller's Office report concluded that funds for the program had been "wasted or misspent". Fleischmann's office estimated that if this bill passed it would save taxpayers $2.1 billion over the next decade. This was the third bill he proposed.

Fleischmann supports the use of nuclear power. His district contains the Sequoyah Nuclear Plant. He is the head of the House Nuclear Cleanup Caucus. In 2024, Fleischmann proposed new funding from the Department of Energy to develop advanced nuclear energy projects, including small modular reactors.

Election laws

In December 2020, Fleischmann was one of 126 Republican members of the House of Representatives to sign 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 defeated 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 an election held by another state.

House speaker Nancy Pelosi issued a statement that called signing the amicus brief an act of "election subversion." She also 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, arguing 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."

Foreign policy

Fleischmann voted to provide Israel with support following the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel. When asked about Palestinian deaths from the ongoing Gaza war, Fleischmann said "I will always support Israel, and you can tell the Palestinians I will never support them." Fleischmann denied Israel is committing a genocide against the Palestinians.

Fleischmann supports sending United States aid to Ukraine.{{cite web |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/gop-ukraine-skeptics-poised-gain-congress-lawmakers-look-lock-billions-rcna53167 | title = With GOP skeptics of Ukraine aid poised to gain seats in Congress, lawmakers look to lock in a huge military assistance package | last = Sergey | first = Bobok | date = October 20, 2022 | website = | publisher = NBC News | access-date = March 8, 2024 | quote = Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, R-Tenn., a member of the powerful Appropriations Committee that controls spending, said providing weapons and other assistance to Ukraine is crucial to halting Russia’s unprovoked invasion. “I voted for the first funding bill, and I would be open to discussing more funding,” Fleischmann said. “If we do not take the necessary steps for Ukraine to protect its nation and sovereignty against Russia, I think the ripple effects will end up costing not only the United States but the world a lot more.”

Government speech

Fleischmann was one of 120 Republicans who voted against removing Confederate statues from inside the Capitol building.{{cite web |url=https://www.newsweek.com/confederate-statues-full-list-house-republicans-voted-against-removing-1605439 | title = Full List of 120 House Republicans Who Voted Against Removing Confederate Statues | last = Palmer | first = Ewan | date = June 30, 2021 | website = Newsweek | publisher = | access-date = March 8, 2024 | quote =

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.

Gun rights

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/da/Officials_dedicate_Oak_Ridge_Construction_Support_Building_171120-A-EO110-010.jpg" caption="Fleischmann in 2017"] ::

Fleischmann has 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 for 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.

Health care

Fleischmann's first vote in office was for the 2011 motion Repealing the Health Care Bill.

Spending

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1f/Chickamauga_Lock.png" caption="Chickamauga Lock Replacement Project"] ::

In 2023 Fleischmann led the US Congress in self-appointed earmark spending, securing $273.3 million for his district out of the 2024 federal budget. The majority of this spending is destined for the lock replacement project on the Chickamauga Dam, which is the single highest-cost project in the country in the 2024 budget.

Committee assignments

For the 119th Congress:

Caucus memberships

Electoral history

::data[format=table]

YearOfficeDistrictDemocraticRepublicanOther
2010U.S. House of RepresentativesTennessee's 3rd districtJohn Wolfe28.01%Chuck Fleischmann
2012U.S. House of RepresentativesTennessee's 3rd districtMary M. Headrick35.46%Chuck Fleischmann
2014U.S. House of RepresentativesTennessee's 3rd districtMary M. Headrick34.58%Chuck Fleischmann
2016U.S. House of RepresentativesTennessee's 3rd districtMelody Shekari28.85%Chuck Fleischmann
2018U.S. House of RepresentativesTennessee's 3rd districtDanielle Mitchell34.48%Chuck Fleischmann
2020U.S. House of RepresentativesTennessee's 3rd districtMeg Gorman30.3%Chuck Fleischmann
2022U.S. House of RepresentativesTennessee's 3rd districtMeg Gorman30.19%Chuck Fleischmann
2024U.S. House of RepresentativesTennessee's 3rd districtJack Allen29.36%Chuck Fleischmann
::

Personal life

Fleischmann is married to Brenda M. Fleischmann. They have three sons, and live in Ooltewah. Fleischmann is 5' 4" tall.Fleischmann is a Roman Catholic.

References

References

  1. "Charles Joseph Fleischmann – a Chattanooga, Tennessee (TN) Collections Lawyer". Pview.findlaw.com.
  2. (8 August 2002). "Obituaries: Bordas, Louisa Marie". [[The Journal News]].
  3. (July 28, 2014). "More Negative Political Ads Surface In Third Congressional District Race". WTVC NewChannel 9.
  4. (n.d.). "Fleischmann, Chuck, (1962 - )". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
  5. (8 August 2014). "Tennessee Congressional Candidates, Per District".
  6. (2 November 2010). "Fleischmann Captures 3rd District U.S. House Race". [[The Chattanoogan]].
  7. . (n.d.). ["Chuck Fleischmann for Congress"](https://www.chuckforcongress.com/index.cfm?p=Articles&ContentRecord_id=8d77b17f-84f9-4517-b058-13cf65414907&ContentType_id=0169d034-1090-473c-ac9a-742aeb90cca6&Group_id=e4a93e74-6937-4f92-8f86-58368c7fad81).
  8. Kennedy, Mark. (May 5, 2015). "How Chuck Fleischmann overcomes the odds". Chattanooga Times Free Press.
  9. https://www.knoxnews.com/story/news/columnists/georgiana-vines/2025/06/02/vines-rep-chuck-fleischmann-u-s-must-support-israel-financially/83946063007/
  10. . (October 11, 2014). ["Chuck Fleischmann (profile)"](https://archive.knoxnews.com/news/local/chuck-fleischmann-ep-667009857-354129871.html/). *[[Knoxville News-Sentinel]]*.
  11. (2002-11-19). "Attorneys Hope Panel To Improve Lawyers' Images".
  12. Schelzig, Erik. (22 November 2010). "Command eludes TN GOP conservatives". [[Kingsport Times-News]].
  13. "TN – District 03 – R Primary Race – Aug 05, 2010". Our Campaigns.
  14. "Republican Primary Unofficial Results". Tennessee Election Commission.
  15. (30 August 2010). "Fleischmann Says First Aim Is To "Say Goodby [sic] To Nancy Pelosi"". [[The Chattanoogan]].
  16. Hightower, Cliff. (2010-11-07). "Tea party activity leaves some Republicans bitter". Chattanooga Times Free Press.
  17. (2010-11-03). "Election Results Summary of Tennessee Races". MyFox Memphis.
  18. Miller, Joshua. (August 2, 2012). "Tennessee: Chuck Fleischmann Wins Primary". [[Roll Call]].
  19. Carroll, Chris. (August 3, 2012). "Chuck Fleischmann fends off GOP challengers". Times Free Press.
  20. (2021-10-21). "Rep. Mo Brooks is one of Congress' most vocal opponents of COVID-19 vaccine mandates — and he just violated a federal conflict-of-interest law on a Pfizer stock sale".
  21. D'Urso, William. (July 25, 2024). "Rep. Chuck Fleischmann has conflict, opts out of public forum". Chattanooga Times Free Press.
  22. Local3News Staff. (2025). "Rep. Chuck Fleischmann will never hold a town hall meeting". Local 3 News.
  23. Carroll, Chris. (October 5, 2011). "John Boehner to attend Chuck Fleischmann event". Chattanooga Times Free Press.
  24. (2020-03-10). "Fleischmann: As Bipartisan Support for Nuclear Energy Grows in Congress, Progressives Should Reconsider Their Opposition".
  25. (2020-08-25). "Rep. Chuck Fleischmann: Support for Nuclear Energy is Critical for the Future of the American Worker".
  26. "Energy".
  27. (2017-02-21). "House Nuclear Cleanup Caucus".
  28. (2024-07-19). "Fleischmann Proposes $9 Billion Boost for Advanced Nuclear Energy Projects".
  29. (December 5, 2020). "Biden officially secures enough electors to become president".
  30. Liptak, Adam. (2020-12-11). "Supreme Court Rejects Texas Suit Seeking to Subvert Election". [[The New York Times]].
  31. (2020-12-11). "Order in Pending Case". [[Supreme Court of the United States]].
  32. Diaz, Daniella. "Brief from 126 Republicans supporting Texas lawsuit in Supreme Court". [[CNN]].
  33. (2020-12-12). "Supreme court rejects Trump-backed Texas lawsuit aiming to overturn election results". [[The Guardian]].
  34. (December 11, 2020). "Pelosi Statement on Supreme Court Rejecting GOP Election Sabotage Lawsuit". Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
  35. Williams, Jordan. (2020-12-11). "Democrat asks Pelosi to refuse to seat lawmakers supporting Trump's election challenges".
  36. Demirjian, Karoun. (2023-10-25). "House Declares Solidarity With Israel in First Legislation Under New Speaker". The New York Times.
  37. (2023-10-25). "Roll Call 528 Roll Call 528, Bill Number: H. Res. 771, 118th Congress, 1st Session".
  38. Salvemini, Chris. (March 7, 2024). "'I will tell you to your face: Goodbye to Palestine' Congressman from East TN says Israel not guilty of genocide in widely shared video". [[WBIR-TV]].
  39. "H.Con.Res. 13 (112th): Reaffirming "In God We Trust" as the … -- House Vote #816 -- Nov. 1, 2011".
  40. (2023-07-24). "Fleischmann tops Congressional earmarks list with Chickamauga Lock {{!}} Chattanooga Times Free Press".
  41. (2024-03-25). "Federal funds flow to Chattanooga through targeted programs US Rep. Fleischmann puts in budget {{!}} Chattanooga Times Free Press".
  42. "List of Standing Committees and Select Committees of the House of Representatives". Clerk of the United States House of Representatives.
  43. . (n.d.). ["Our Members"](https://royce.house.gov/internationalconservation/members.html). *U.S. House of Representatives International Conservation Caucus*.
  44. . (n.d.). ["Members"](https://usjapancaucus-castro.house.gov/members). *U.S.-Japan Congressional Caucus*.
  45. "Member List". Republican Study Committee.
  46. (16 August 2022). "Congressional Taiwan Caucus". Congressman Brad Sherman.
  47. "Caucus Memberships". Congressional Western Caucus.
  48. Collins, Michael. (December 1, 2018). "Tennesseans remember George H.W. Bush as a 'gentleman' and selfless public servant".
  49. . (5 January 2015). ["Members of Congress: Religious Affiliations"](https://www.pewforum.org/2015/01/05/members-of-congress-religious-affiliations/). *Pew Research Center*.

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