Politicstennessee-4th-congressional-districtelection 2012Politics

Scott DesJarlais Targeted With Second Major Democratic Ad Buy Over Mistresses

Democrats Spend Another $180,000 Against Philandering GOP Doctor
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By 

Senior Congressional Reporter, HuffPost

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In this May 3, 2012, photo, U.S. Rep. Scott DesJarlais, right, speaks with Gov. Bill Haslam at a groundbreaking event at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tenn. The freshman Republican raised $28,310 in the first reporting period since a transcript emerged of DesJarlais urging a woman to seek an abortion more than 12 years ago. (AP Photo/Erik Schelzig)

A Democratic group is pouring another $180,000 into the Tennessee race against GOP Rep. Scott DesJarlais, the philandering physician who admitted to having an affair with one of his patients and pushing her to get an abortion.

The group House Majority PAC had already spent $100,000 in the contest on behalf of Democratic state Sen. Eric Stewart. It is releasing this new ad after a report emerged over the weekend detailing another of DesJarlais' patient-doctor dalliances.

“Another day, another disturbing revelation about Scott DesJarlais’ hypocritical and inappropriate behavior,” said Alixandria Lapp, executive director of House Majority PAC. “The bottom line is this: Scott DesJarlais shouldn’t be in Congress.”

The affairs -- DesJarLais admitted to four in divorce papers -- all happened in the long, slow breakup of his first marriage, from the late 1990s through 2001. DesJarlais has argued that he and his wife had an open marriage, although court records indicate they had ben trying to reconcile when he pushed one of his mistresses to get the abortion, telling the woman he wanted to save his family. He insists his attempt to persuade her was just a ruse he pulled because he did not believe the woman was pregnant.

DesJarlais, who casts himself as a pro-life, family values conservative, had about $320,000 in his campaign account as of last week. Stewart had just $110,000, making the outside group's assistance vital.

According to Stewart's internal polling, the race got dramatically tighter after revelations of DesJarlais' past emerged.

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Before You Go

Political Sex Scandals
Anthony Weiner's Online Romance (01 of06)
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Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-N.Y.) was forced to resign following a lengthy media investigation triggered after he accidentally sent his Twitter followers a picture of himself in his underwear.In the aftermath of the initial tweet, Weiner claimed that his account had been hacked, but subsequent developments showed that he had contacted a number of other women online, at times engaging in raunchy conversation.
Eliot Spitzer Client Number 9(02 of06)
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In March 2008, a federal investigation revealed that Gov. Eliot Spitzer (D-N.Y.) had habitually patronized a high-priced prostitution agency, spending up to $80,000 on the service.
Arnold Schwarzenegger's Mistress(03 of06)
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Revelations surfaced earlier this year that the former California governor and movie star had fathered a child with his maid during an affair that took place during the 1990s. The child is now in his teens.In a statement to the Los Angeles Times in May, Schwarzenegger confessed to the relationship:
"After leaving the governor's office I told my wife about this event, which occurred over a decade ago," Schwarzenegger said Monday night in a statement issued to The Times in response to questions. "I understand and deserve the feelings of anger and disappointment among my friends and family. There are no excuses and I take full responsibility for the hurt I have caused. I have apologized to Maria, my children and my family. I am truly sorry."
Eric Massa's Tickling(04 of06)
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Rep. Eric Massa (D-N.Y.) resigned in 2010 following mounting questions about his conduct that culminated in a House ethics investigation of harassment allegations brought forth by a male aide.Shortly after stepping down, Massa appeared on Glenn Beck's television show and described part of an incident that had triggered the charges."Not only did I grope him, I tickled him until he couldn't breathe," he said. "I should have never allowed myself to be as familiar with my staff as I was... I own this misbehavior."
David Wu's Alleged Teen Encounter (05 of06)
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On July 26, Rep. David Wu (D-Ore.) announced that he would step down pending the conclusion of ongoing negotiations to raise the debt ceiling.Wu, who had fielded prior criticism for erratic behavior in the run up to his successful 2010 reelection -- he emailed staffers a picture showing him wearing a tiger costume -- is currently facing allegations that he engaged in an unwanted sexual encounter with an 18-year-old. Wu has claimed the action was consensual.
Chris Lee's Craigslist Follies(06 of06)
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Rep. Chris Lee (R-N.Y.) took part in perhaps the shortest Washington scandal of all time earlier this year, when a report that he had sent shirtless pictures to a woman he contacted on Craigslist prompted his resignation mere hours later.
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