Robin Smith at Tea Party

Tennessee Democratic Party Chairman Chip Forrester said Robin Smith’s announced entrance into the 3rd Congressional District race should give Democrats all the ammunition they need to win the seat next fall.

“Mrs. Smith has enough blood on her hands to taint that seat for any Republican,” Forrester said of the former state Republican Party chair. “She and her shameless lapdog Bill Hobbs have already demonstrated that they will do and say anything to win an elected office.”

Current U.S. Rep. Zach Wamp, a Republican from Chattanooga, is not seeking re-election in 2010 because of his run for governor.

Two other Republicans have announced their intentions to run for the congressional seat, as has Oak Ridge Democrat Paula Flowers, former state commerce and insurance commissioner.

“Many voters are appalled at the disgusting antics the Republican Party used in last year’s election,” Forrester said. “Smith and Hobbs spearheaded the Republicans’ efforts. I believe in the old adage that ‘you reap what you sow.’

“So I predict we will have a Democrat representing the Third District of Tennessee in Congress after next year’s election. That should give us six Tennessee Democratic members of the U.S. House of Representatives instead of the five we now have,” he added.

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