News Details

Rutherford County Democrat Chairman & Candidate Spar

Posted on Jul 14, 2010 - 02:22 PM by Mark Bell, Daily News Journal
Source: http://www.dnj.com/article/20100714/NEWS01/100713037/1002/Democrat+candidate++chairman+squabble

Murfreesboro Police were called to the new Maple Street headquarters of the Rutherford County Democratic Party last weekend in reference to a disturbance involving Democratic House candidate Mike Williams and party Chairman Jonathon Fagan.

What happened during that disturbance — which occurred around noon — is not quite as clear, as Fagan blamed Williams’ “belligerence” for a resulting verbal confrontation Saturday and associates of Williams stated Fagan “grabbed” Williams during the incident. Williams is one of two Democratic candidates for the 34th District House seat.

Fagan called authorities, according to a police report filed by Officer Matt Harvey, in reference to Williams entering the headquarters Saturday “mad because his signs were not in the window.” Fagan told police that a verbal altercation between himself and Williams became heated when he asked Williams to leave and the candidate refused because his “campaign signs were not in the window.”

Witness Kimberly Jensen, who Fagan said is affiliated with Williams’ campaign, told police Williams was upset because Fagan had taken down Williams’ sign because he “hasn’t paid the $150 fee to put a sign up (at the headquarters) and (Fagan) was voting for his opponent.” Williams apparently left after Fagan called police, according to the police report.

Fagan said Tuesday that the Democratic Party cannot endorse any candidate who faces a primary election, and, “to (his) knowledge,” Williams’ signs were never hung inside party headquarters.

Williams could not be reached for comment by press time Tuesday.
According to Fagan, members of the Democratic Executive Committee, candidates and others were enjoying refreshments at the new headquarters before the incident began.

Harvey’s report states that during the verbal altercation Fagan “grabbed Mr. (Williams) by the arm to remove him from the building and (Williams) resisted.”

Fagan told The DNJ Tuesday that he placed his hand on Williams’ shoulder while trying to get him to leave the headquarters due to his “belligerence.” He denied grabbing or pushing Williams.

“There is a difference ...,” Fagan said. “I unfortunately had to call the police to protect the guests, and when I began to call the police Mr. Williams fled the scene and I had to file a police report on the incident.”
Donna Karnes, Rutherford County Democratic Party Executive Committee member, said Fagan placed his hands on Williams’ shoulder and elbow in a “gentle” manner to get him to leave the Democrats’ headquarters.

Jensen told police that Fagan shouldn’t have put his hands on Williams because of his age, according to the incident report.

Authorities advised Fagan to “next time ... call the police first and refrain from (putting his hands on someone).” No charges were filed as a result of the incident.

— Mark Bell, 615-278-5153

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