By Marlon Scott | News Editor
Republican congressman for the 3rd District of Tennessee, Zach Wamp, is campaigning to become the governor of Tennessee. Photo by Marlon Scott | NEWS EDITOR
“I continue to be surprised by the new things that I learn. Physics at Austin Peay, for example, I didn’t know that,” Wamp said. “That’s why good campaigns make for better law makers and leaders. Because if a good campaign means your out there asking questions and learning, then you are just preparing yourself to serve.”
Described as a “common sense conservative” on his Web site (www.house.gov/wamp/biography.shtm), Wamp served in Congress for 15 years before his campaign for governor began. His legislative accomplishments include taking steps to improve education by co-authoring the Fitness Integrated with Teaching (FIT) Kids Act and also establishing the Tennessee Valley Technology Corridor.
As a candidate for governor, Wamp continues to support education, citing it as the key to success after graduation. He has specific goals he wishes to achieve in education if elected governor.
“You will improve our standing, the bottom line, the end result and education in general if we start reading better,” Wamp said. “It takes a coordinated effort from top to bottom and you have got to engage everybody from foundations to local governments to daycare and child care centers. But it starts with the governor saying that basic reading is going to be job one in public education.”
When asked about the fears expressed by most college students including constantly improving school costs and unemployment after graduation, Wamp said, “A lot of students that I have represented have said ‘Would this be a good time for me to get another degree or stay in school and get a graduate degree?’ and I am honest with them and say ‘yes.’ If you can, do it, this is the time to do it. You retool when the job market is difficult and continue to expand your education because it is a good time frankly.”
The focus of Wamp’s 20/20 Vision campaign is preparing Tennessee for the future. He asks Tennesseans what they want Tennessee to be in the year 2020.
“The 20/20 Vision came out of my heart because every generation, I think a governor needs to surface that has a long term agenda,” Wamp said. “Not just managing today’s problems.”
Wamp’s stance on issues and the last stops on his 20/20 Vision tour can be found at www.ZachWamp.com.
He and his wife, Kim, have two children in college: their son, Weston, and daughter, Coty.
– Marlon Scott, News Editor
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