On the eve of Women’s Equality Day, troubled Congressman Scott DesJarlais advanced to the general election in Tennessee’s 4th Congressional District. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee issued the following statement about Congressman DesJarlais’s primary victory:
From Emily Bittner of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee: “Here’s the enduring face of the Republican Party: a congressman who opposes a woman’s right to make her own healthcare choices, but who faced professional sanctions after he encouraged his mistress get an abortion. Republicans like Congressman DesJarlais are a key reason why women are motivated to vote for Democrats in 2014.”
BACKGROUND:
Congressman DesJarlais Had Sex with Patients, Encouraged Patient to Get an Abortion, and Prescribed Medication to Patient During an Affair. “A family practice doctor, DesJarlais was forced to empty his war chest when court records revealed a checkered past days before the election. Interviews and documents showed he had sex with two female patients and tried to persuade one to get an abortion. Court documents obtained by the Chattanooga Times Free Press confirmed that the anti-abortion politician supported his ex-wife’s abortions in the 1990s; slept with patients and co-workers while chief of staff at a Jasper hospital, bought expensive gifts for his patient-lovers; and prescribed one pain medication during their affair.” [Chattanooga Times Free Press, 2/24/13]
In May, Congressman DesJarlais was Reprimanded and Fined for Having Sex with Patients. “Rep. Scott DesJarlais, a licensed physician, was reprimanded and fined by the Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners for having sex with patients before he was elected to Congress, according to documents released Tuesday […] He was fined $500 for two counts of unprofessional conduct, and is responsible for up to $1,000 in costs for the panel’s investigation. He did not contest the findings.” [Associated Press, 5/23/13]