NASHVILLE – The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has launched a paid “grass-roots campaign” taking U.S. Rep. Scott DesJarlais, R-Tenn., to task, charging he has sided with fellow Republicans “to protect the wealthiest 1 percent at the expense of seniors and the middle class.”
Automated or “robo calls” as well as live calls criticizing DesJarlais, a freshman lawmaker from Jasper, began today in the sprawling 4th Congressional District. The effort also includes online ads and an online “action center” where voters can write letters to newspapers about U.S. House Republicans’ priorities.
The robo calls urge listeners to call DesJarlais’ congressional office.
The move signals national Democrats’ belief that state Sen. Eric Stewart, D-Belvidere, who recently announced he is running for the seat, is a credible candidate. Democratic officials won’t say how much they are spending on this week’s effort.
In a news release, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee says it intends to hold DesJarlais “accountable for forcing the debt super committee to fail by demanding more tax breaks for billionaires while insisting the Medicare guarantee be eliminated.”