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A high ranking Democrat says it's time for Congressman Scott DesJarlais to resign.
This comes as the sex scandal surrounding the Jasper physician intensifies.
"Scott DesJarlais shouldn't be in Congress - he should be in jail," says Tennessee Democratic Party chairman Chip Forrester.
The chairman of Tennessee's Democratic Party isn't holding back.
"Everyone can see that Scott DesJarlais is an unethical, lying fraud," says Forrester.
Strong words about the Republican doctor now running for re-election.
A doctor who reportedly compromised his ethics by having sexual relationships with at least two of his patients.
"DesJarlais ran his medical practice like a Craigslist cathouse, and now he's mad people are upset about it," says Forrester.
The latest allegations were published in a Chattanooga newspaper this weekend.
An anonymous woman claims she had sex, and smoked marijuana with DesJarlais 12 year ago. In the article, she says DesJarlais was also her doctor.
During Monday's news conference, chairman Forrester called on DesJarlais to resign.
The Congressman's campaign sent us a statement saying "We have absolutely no intention of resigning."
DesJarlais has indicated the woman's story is not credible. The statement reads, "Voters see this smear-campaign for what it is: a desperate attempt to distract from Congressman DesJarlais' record..."
Democrats are clearly on attack. They're investing more money in ads, as they try to win the seat.
A Vanderbilt political scientist believes this "October surprise" could have an influence on the election, which was once a lock for Republicans.
"Is the Stewart campaign prepared to take advantage of the opportunity, and on the other hand can the DesJarlais campaign put out the fire," says Dr. Bruce Oppenheimer, Vanderbilt Political Scientist.
The fourth district battle is nearing its end, but Democrats believe the scandal is only beginning.
Congressman DesJarlais believes he will still win the election.
Sunday, his campaign released a poll showing he has a 13 point lead over his Democratic challenger Eric Stewart.
For news updates follow John Dunn on twitter @WZTVJohnDunn
Monday, October 29 2012, 08:08 PM CDT
Tennessee News
Memphis suburbs to hold school referendum July 16
May 25, 2013 19:37 GMT
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) -- All six Memphis suburbs have set a July 16 date to hold referendums on establishing municipal school systems.
WMC-TV (http://bit.ly/11jsNCA) reports the Shelby County Election Commission approved the date during a meeting on Friday. The action came after all six suburbs passed ordinances calling for a referendum on the issue on that date.
Residents in the communities voted last year to approve the municipal school districts, but a judge struck the decisions down.
Tennessee lawmakers passed legislation this year lifts a ban on municipalities forming their own districts, clearing the way for another vote.
Information from: WMC-TV, http://www.wmctv.com/
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