New ads are attacking Congressman Scott DesJarlais as a “hypocrite,” amid claims the Republican doctor urged a patient he had an affair with to get an abortion, but some Republican voters are standing by the incumbent.
Rutherford County Election Commission – WPLN/Daniel Potter
DesJarlais was first elected in the Republican wave two years ago, and his newly redrawn district runs from the edges of Chattanooga to Rutherford County. In Murfreesboro, Pam Holbert says she voted for every Republican on the ballot – except one.
Holbert wasn’t impressed with how DesJarlais handled the allegations, so she crossed over and voted for Democratic Challenger Eric Stewart.
“You know, I mean if it happened it happened, just own up to it and go on with your life. But I don’t feel like it was handled that way.”
Holbert says if DesJarlais had immediately come clean, he’d still have her vote. But others, like Dwin Dotson, are more forgiving.
“Everybody makes mistakes, don’t they? I know I’ve made a few.” (laughs)
Still others who voted for DesJarlais just don’t believe the incriminating story is true. If it were, one backer said, he’d be very disappointed.
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