Roe challenger opens a campaign headquarters

U.S. Army veteran Todd McKinley, who is challenging U.S. Rep. Phil Roe in the 1st Congressional District Republican primary, has set up a campaign headquarters and is voicing optimism about his chances despite a $475,000 lead the incumbent has in campaign money, reports the Johnson City Press.

“I’m humbled by the amount of support I have received so far, and look forward to representing the great people of East Tennessee,” McKinley said.

A Kingsport native, McKinley said he chose downtown Johnson City as his campaign headquarters because most of his staffers live around the area, not to mention it’s one of the most populous cities in Tennessee’s 1st Congressional District.

…“A lot of volunteers and a lot of people are out coordinating volunteers for us so we’re very optimistic in regards to that. We’re running a grassroots campaign so that’s what it’s going to take. We don’t have the big name recognition, and of course, we don’t have the money like some of the others.”

…(Roe’s) campaign currently has $484,035 cash on hand compared to McKinley’s $8,085 as of March 31, according to the Federal Election Commission.

… “I’m not part of the status quo. I’m not going to go to Washington and take my marching orders from the leadership there or the people who have the money. I’m going to listen to the people in the 1st District, something that I think has been missing the past 10 years,” McKinley said.