NASHVILLE, TN – Bradley County Attorney Joseph K. Byrd cleared the air today regarding misleading attacks made against Republican State Rep. Eric Watson and his re-election campaign. In a desperate attempt to try and hinder a Republican’s re-election bid, Democrats cited a recent opinion by the State Attorney General that further research would have demonstrated doesn’t apply to Rep. Watson.

“Bradley County did not adopt the County Sheriff’s Civil Service Law of 1974,” said Byrd. “Accordingly, Representative Eric Watson is not in violation of Tennessee Code Annotated § 8-8-419 as a candidate for re-election as State Representative. Additionally, his employment as a deputy sheriff does not involve federal funds that would cause his re-election to violate the federal Hatch Act. That issue was clearly settled in the previous determination of the U.S. Office of Special Counsel which reviewed the matter and issued a formal opinion. Tennessee Attorney General 10-29 (March 10, 2010) follows the long line of established opinions regarding the Hatch Act and the County Sheriff’s Civil Service Law of 1974, but it does not represent any basis to impede State Representative Eric Watson’s eligibility for re-election.”

In refusing to do the proper research before issuing their misleading attacks, Democrats have inadvertently put the spotlight on a number of their own members that could potentially be in violation of the Hatch Act. Currently, a number of State House Democrat members are employed by entities that typically receive federal funds.

“It would be wise for Democrats to look inward before turning their own members into collateral damage,” said Tennessee Republican Party Chairman Chris Devaney. “Democrats are finding it difficult to gain any momentum this election season so it isn’t surprising they are jumping the gun on any piece of information they believe could help their chances in November.”