Tennessee state Sen. Eric StewartNASHVILLE - The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee today added Democrat Eric Stewart to its "Red to Blue" category, indicating the organization will devote resources to his battle with Republican Congressman Scott DesJarlais.
Stewart announced the move today in an email to supporters, saying he has "more good news" after his campaign released an internal poll that Stewart says shows him in a "dead heat" with DesJarlais, a Jasper physician.
"Our race for Congress has just been added to the DCCC's 'Red to Blue,' which lists the top campaigns across the country," Stewart says in the email, which also includes this fundraising appeal: "We need your help in this race, today!"
DesJarlais enjoys a huge cash-on-hand advantage over Stewart, a state senator from Winchester, and is currently pounding him in television ads over what he says is Stewart's support of "ObamaCare."
The race took a dramatic twist last week after revelations that DesJarlais asked a former patient with whom he had a relationship, to seek out an abortion. The congressman acknowledged a transcript of their recorded conversation was genuine.
But DesJarlais said he knew the woman wasn't pregnant and was using "strong language" to get her to admit she wasn't expecting. There was no pregnancy and there was no abortion, the congressman said.