Muddier

GA-9 Freedom Fighters -
 
We told you more mud was coming from the Lee Hawkins campaign, and surprise, surprise - it did.  

America is facing perhaps the biggest challenges we've seen in generations. 

• A national debt of almost $13 trillion and a Congress that wants to increase it a trillion dollars a year for the foreseeable future.
• An illegal immigration crisis that is being ignored by the President.
• A federal government not only content with taking over health-care  and the automobile industry, but now they want to tax and regulate the remaining private industry out of existence.

In the midst of all these real issues, Hawkins is attacking Tom over a claim filed against him on a past business venture.  As you know, just because a claim is filed against a person, doesn't mean it's valid. That's why we have a judicial system.  Hawkins has been shopping this story around to news outlets and yesterday several decided to run with it.
 
We wanted you to hear directly from the campaign with the facts:

• Tom was sued on a personal guarantee on a past business venture.
• Tom's name has been included only because he was a loan guarantor in the business.
• Tom and his business partner have strong legal defenses and a counter suit against the bank for damages for the bank's breach of contract and fraud. 
• On May 12th - a day after Tom finished first in the May 11th Special General Election - the bank amended the original lawsuit and claimed another false, fraudulent claim.  Tom and his legal team are working to have this baseless claim dismissed.
  

As Ronald Reagan once said, "There you go again".
 
Three weeks ago, Hawkins doctored official court documents in an attempt to prop up his campaign.  And he failed to tell voters that the lawsuit was frivolous and dismissed.
 
Now Tom's opponent is trying it again.  His campaign smear tactics did not work then and they won't work now.  Voters recognize these last minute desperate smear tactics and are tired of this type of gutter politics.
 
In the final days of this campaign, Tom will continue to talk about why he is best qualified to represent the 9th District in Congress.  He will talk about how he's led when it comes to job creation, lower taxes, supporting the FairTax and his strong commitment to fight the illegal immigration crisis.  
 
There is no doubt more attacks will come from the Hawkins campaign.  He has done this in every campaign he has ever run.  Folks, we are knee deep in the mud and if Lee continues, it's only going to get muddier.
 
The Graves campaign will continue to push back and keep you informed of the truth because we believe the truth still matters.  We challenge our opponent to join us in this effort and drop the dirty politics.
 
Tom's Statement:

"It has been brought to my attention that several news agencies, including WSB News in Atlanta, are researching a lawsuit filed against me earlier this year involving a personal guaranty I signed in connection with the financing of a past business venture.  The litigation involves complicated issues of fact and law.  I have filed my own claims against the plaintiff in this lawsuit because I suffered damages as a result of its broken promises to me.  This country has a judicial system in place where business disputes like this lawsuit can be successfully and fairly resolved, and I am fully confident that a satisfactory resolution will be reached once all the facts have come to light."  
 
"It is unfortunate that my opponent resorts to trying to tear good men down in order to advance his political career.  Right before the May 11th Special Election, my opponent tried these same dirty tricks when he doctored official court documents and failed to tell voters that a frivolous lawsuit was dismissed by the plaintiffs nearly two years ago. As Ronald Reagan once said "There you go again" and he has once again resorted to these 11th hour smear tactics.  Georgians are tired of this type of gutter politics and voters know his campaign smear tactics did not work then and they won't work now.  Our campaign will remain focused on the issues that matter in people's lives and working to stop the liberal march of Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, and Barack Obama. I challenge my opponent to join us in this effort and drop the dirty politics."
 
Gainesville Times Article:

Click here to read the Gainesville Times article regarding the business dispute.