NASHVILLE - U.S. Rep. Lincoln Davis, D-Tenn., has launched an ad highlighting Republican opponent Scott DesJarlais' bitterly contested 2000 divorce as the 4th Congressional District campaign heats up.
"Scott DesJarlais and his supporters are attacking Lincoln Davis' record," says the female announcer in Davis' 30-second spot. "Court documents reveal that DesJarlais has a history of attacks. Violent and threatening behavior toward his first wife. Firing an unloaded gun outside her bedroom door. Putting the gun in his own mouth for three hours."
The announcer then says "DesJarlais, a rich man, went to court to cut his child support payments. It's documented. It's disturbing."
The ad refers viewers to www.go4truth.com, a website run by the Tennessee Democratic Party. It lists allegations contained in court motions by his former wife, Susan DesJarlais, in the couple's 2000 divorce.
DesJarlais, a Jasper physician, responded with his own ad featuring his current wife, Amy DesJarlais. She calls her husband "a doctor who cares deeply about people and will stop politicians from hurting families who struggle to make ends meet.
"That's why Lincoln Davis is telling flat-out lies about Scott DesJarlais," Amy DesJarlais says. "Lies to simply hide the congressman's own failures. I know because I'm Amy DesJarlais. I know Scott to be a good, honest, decent man and I know Scott will succeed where Lincoln Davis has failed."
DesJarlais campaign manager Brent Leatherwood said Davis' "sinking campaign has reached a new low."
"His ad is full of lies and deception and comes on the heels of our poll that shows Dr. DesJarlais has the clear momentum in this race," Leatherwood said. "Court records show these allegations are completely false and Tennesseans know when someone is trying to pull one over on them."
Davis' campaign says that "after months of false attacks ... we decided to tell the truth about Scott DesJarlais. It is clear from the public record that Mr. DesJarlais' past record shows a history of behavior that is unstable, unfaithful, abusive toward women and dangerous to himself and others."
The ad is running in television markets including Chattanooga, according to the Davis campaign.