Chattanooga considered major player in national politics

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee(WDEF) – The place we know as the Scenic City has slowly become a major player in the next presidential election.

Republican presidential candidates Ted Cruz and Rick Santorum have already stopped in Chattanooga this summer.

Ben Carson and Marko Rubio are the next two Republican candidates scheduled to visit the scenic city. According to Hamilton County Republican Party Chairman Tony Sanders, there’s a specific reason why Chattanooga is a major player in national politics.

"When you look at Chattanooga and you look at the four major cities in Tennessee, we are the most republican of those major cities. This is a good to place check your message; how is your message delivered? It’s a good place to find support and a good place to find money," Sanders said.

Tennessee recently became one of seven states that will hold a primary election ahead of super Tuesday. Democratic Party Chairman Terry Lee told News 12  Chattanooga is in the right geographical location for candidates to reach a mass audience before the early primary.

"Chattanooga is a centrally located area. The media market for this area extends into three other states. I’ve been told we’re the second largest media market in Georgia as well as the Chattanooga area," Lee said.

Leaders from both parties said voters in and around Chattanooga can definitely expect more presidential candidates to make Chattanooga a scheduled stop on their campaign tour.

"I would be surprised if we don’t see every significant player at some point," Sanders said.

They certainly will have top leadership within their campaigns so it would not surprise me at all to see the actual candidates here in Chattanooga," Lee said.

Republican Presidential candidate Marko Rubio is scheduled to arrive in Chattanooga this Thursday for an open rally.