U.S. Representative Zach Wamp
Rep. Wamp's Introductory Speech (9 Mbytes .mov)
CONGRESS: U.S. Rep, Zach Wamp, R, Tenn., 3rd, was among 73 Republicans sworn into office on Jan. 4, 1995, as the GOP took control of the U.S. House for the first time in 40 years. Wamp, 37, was elected on Nov. 8, 1994, recapturing a seat that had not been held by the Republicans in 20 years. In Congress, Wamp was elected by his follow freshmen Republicans as their representative on the GOP Steering Committee. He was named to the Science Committee, the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Small Business Committee. Congressman Wamp was also elected vice chairman of the Water Resources and Environment subcommittee, which oversees the Tennessee Valley authority, the government-owned electric utility that is a major federal institution in Rep. Wamp's home state.
POLITICAL: Rep. Wamp began in politics as a precinct vice chairman and worked in Chattanooga Mayor Gene Roberts' first campaign. Wamp later was elected president of the Hamilton County Young Republicans. In 1987, at age 30, he was elected chairman of the Hamilton County Republican Party, becoming the youngest person ever to hold the post. He was appointed regional director of the Tennessee Republican Party in 1989, responsible for East Tennessee's 35 Counties.
In 1992, Wamp won 78 percent of the vote in a three-way primary to decide who would run against 18-year incumbent Marilyn Lloyd in the 3rd District. He received 49.3 percent of the vote in the general election despite being out spent two-to-one. ln August 1994, Zach received 68 percent of the vote in a four way primary. He won the general election by 10,000 votes, even capturing his opponent's home county.
BUSINESS: Wamp worked in his family's architectural and development business and became vice president of Charter Real Estate Corp. in 1989. In 1992, he joined Fletcher Bright Co. in Chattanooga as a commercial and industrial real estate broker. A recognized industry leader, Wamp sold more than $22 million worth of real estate in five years.
PERSONAL: Wamp was born at Fort Banning, Ga., but grew up in Chattanooga where he attended McCallie School and was president of the student body and a standout athlete. He attended The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and The University of Tennessee.. Wamp and his wife, Kim, have a son, Weston, and a daughter, Coty. They belong to Red Bank Baptist Church.
