"Cold-Cocking Tim" Benton Tries to Get His Story Straight, Unfit for Office | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Press Release:

    RALEIGH, NC     Tim Benton, Democratic House candidate for District 46, cold-cocked his opponent, Republican Brenden Jones, after a mailer was released which highlighted the similarities between Benton and Hillary Clinton. Below is a video statement from NCGOP Spokeswoman Kami Mueller responding to Benton's recent activity.



    "'Cold-cocking Tim' Benton has had nearly a week to get his story straight and still can't seem to figure it out. Benton's own local Democrat party Chairman even said Benton had an anger problem. Benton's initial statement did not deny sucker-punching his opponent, Brenden Jones, in front of Mr. Jones' wife and 9-year old daughter. But because Benton is nervous that cold-cocking his opponent at a family festival may negatively impact his likability factor, he is now changing up his story, denying his party affiliation, and whining because his opponent is working too hard to get out the vote. If Tim Benton is volatile enough to fly off the handle at a family festival, one would be wise to worry what his anger may be capable of towards those with opposing arguments on the floor of the North Carolina House, should he be elected. We are still waiting for the North Carolina Democrat Party to condemn Mr. Benton's act of violence and to encourage him to withdraw his candidacy. North Carolina is not the wild west and members of our General Assembly, on both sides of the aisle, are expected to live up to a code of honor and treat others with respect. 'Cold-Cocking Tim' has not demonstrated these qualities and past behavior is the best indicator of future behavior. No matter how he tries to spin it- Tim Benton has disqualified himself from public office," said Kami Mueller, Spokeswoman for the North Carolina Republican Party.

Background:

    "There is absolutely no place for physical violence in our electoral system today," stated Chairman Robin Hayes. "Tim Benton's actions are completely unacceptable, and we call on the North Carolina Democratic Party to join us in denouncing this barbaric behavior. Mr. Benton should withdraw his name from the race immediately. We must lead by example, and Mr. Benton has no business representing any part of North Carolina after showing his true colors yesterday."

    "Mr. Benton was completely overwhelmed with misplaced anger because he was being compared to Hillary Clinton, the presidential candidate for his very own party. His inexperience in the political workings of a campaign caused him to assault Brenden and draw even more attention to his own problems. We have ran a clean and respectful campaign concerning the issues that matter most, and Mr. Benton's actions yesterday are completely unacceptable and uncalled for." - Mr. and Mrs. Brenden Jones

    "After assaulting our Republican candidate on a public street, which was witnessed by countless individuals, Democrat Tim Benton has the gall to blame his opponent's wife for his own irresponsible behavior. Notice two things in his response: first of all, he does not refute witness accounts that said he assaulted the Republican candidate, and instead of accepting responsibility for his actions, he attacks an innocent candidate's spouse. Mr. Benton was mad because a NCGOP mailer compared him to Hillary Clinton. Considering the fact that he avoids the truth at all costs and blames others for his incompetency, it is clear that our mailer comparing him to Clinton was right on target. - NCGOP Chairman Robin Hayes



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    http://www.bladenonline.com/brenden-jones-and-nc-republican-party-chair-speak-out-about-altercation/

    GOP N.C. House Candidate Files Charges After Alleged Assault By Opponent During Halloween Festival

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    http://www.nsjonline.com/article/2016/10/gop-n-c-house-candidate-files-charges-after-alleged-assault-by-opponent-during-halloween-festival

    Candidate TIm Benton Releases Official Statement Regarding Altercation With Candidate Brenden Jones

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    http://www.bladenonline.com/candidate-tim-benton-releases-official-statement-regarding-altercation-with-candidate-brenden-jones/

• Contact: Emily Weeks
•     communications@ncgop.org