DUNLAP, Tenn. – With less than two weeks left to go until early voting begins, battle lines have hardened in the Republican primary between U.S. Rep. Scott DesJarlais and challenger Grant Starrett.
Both 4th District candidates participated in Dunlap’s traditional July 4 parade Monday. Afterward, DesJarlais made clear he will continue painting Starrett, 28, as an opportunistic outsider whose bid is fueled by cash from the family trust fund.
Scott DesJarlais
Grant StarrettStarrett, meanwhile, said his plan is to wage a “vigorous battle of ideas.” One of his chief and oft-repeated views is that life begins at conception, which political observers see as a deft reminder that the pro-life DesJarlais once supported abortions by two women in his life.
DesJarlais rejected Starrett’s call last week to limit the campaign to issues Starrett wants to discuss.
“We run our campaign and everyone’s allowed to run their own campaign and I guess when you’re a 28-year who doesn’t live, work or has never voted in the district, I guess you try whatever campaign strategy you think might get traction,” said DesJarlais, 52, a South Pittsburg physician who is running for a fourth term.