Posted on 11/08/2006 2:17:18 PM PST by trumandogz
A former state representative from Dripping Springs has been charged with assaulting the man who defeated him in an extremely close and frequently nasty race four years ago.
A witness said Rick Green, a Republican, shoved and then punched state Rep. Patrick Rose, D-Dripping Springs, as they stood outside a polling place Tuesday morning at Sunset Canyon Baptist Church east of Dripping Springs.
Rose, 28, who was leading in his bid for re-election Tuesday, said Green, 35, shoved him but didn't land a punch. "Rick lost his temper," he said. "It's unfortunate that something like this happened on Election Day."
Green turned himself in at the Hays County sheriff's office Tuesday afternoon and was charged with assault with bodily injury, a Class A misdemeanor that carries a maximum punishment of one year in jail and a $4,000 fine, Lt. Leroy Opiela said in a press release.
The release said both men received minor injuries but did not elaborate. Rose said he was not hurt, and Green could not be reached for comment. "Next time I see Rick, I'll remember to keep my left up," Rose said.
Jackie Whalen, a witness to the incident, said she was standing in line to vote when she saw Rose and Green standing and talking between two vehicles. She said she saw Green push Rose against a sport-utility vehicle and then punch Rose in the face.
"Patrick Rose looked like he was trying to get away, and then a bunch of men came over and pulled Rick Green off," Whalen said. "He continued trying to go after him and kept shouting 'You need to stop lying' and 'Let him defend himself, the big baby.' "
Hays County sheriff's spokeswoman Pam Robinson said deputies responded to a call about a fight at about 11:30 a.m. She said Rose did not require medical treatment.
In previous elections, Rose has won twice as a Democrat in a district drawn to favor a Republican. In 2002, he squeaked by Green, the incumbent, by 335 votes and then in 2004 fended off Wimberley home builder Alan Askew by about 5,700 votes.
Rose's 2006 GOP challenger, retired rancher Jim Neuhaus, said he was at the polling place Tuesday morning before the incident.
"My first reaction, if indeed it is an assault, that's pretty serious," Neuhaus said.
Former Gonzales County Republican Chairwoman Myrna McLeroy said tactics used by Rose against Green in the past, including a recent mailer with his name on it, have contributed to the dispute between the two men. The mailer asked on one side "Remember Rick Green? He's back as Jim Neuhaus." On the flip side, it said Green had recruited Neuhaus to run "to seek revenge." .
"His supporters are just appalled by this continued attack after all these years on Rick and his family," McLeroy said.
University of Texas professor Paul Stekler, who made a documentary called "Last Man Standing" about the pair's 2002 campaigns, called Tuesday's incident surreal.
"I know that there were hard feelings at the end of the election, that it was clear in the making of the film," he said. "It's sort of beyond surreal. I heard it and said, 'You've got to be kidding me; this couldn't have really happened.' "
Hays County Election Administrator Joyce Cowan said the incident did not appear to affect voting at the church. "I don't think it did anything but give the people in line something to look at," she said
I wouldn't doubt if Rose (who happens to be my state rep.) was asking for it.
How could I say that? Two years ago, I had just voted (against My Little Runaway), when I started talking with the local GOP chair. I asked for some bumper stickers, but we had to go get them from his car, where he'd left them. Anyway, we got some bumper stickers, and as we turned to leave, I saw Rose, who was giving us the dirtiest look you could possibly imagine.
How so?
Didn't notice that. I suppose it was on all the local news all day?
This is why nobody under 40 should be allowed to hold elective office anywhere. And I say that as someone under 40.
Rose is only 28.
He was elected when he was 24.
Just a kid.
A witness said Rick Green, a Republican, shoved and then punched state Rep. Patrick Rose, D-Dripping Springs.
_____
eh...good!
I'd like to punch all of them today.
The statesman covered it and Jeff Ward on 590- KLBJ was ranting about the incident all day trying to pump up the Democratic Vote.
Jeff Ward is a Democrat? I thought he was supposed to be a Libertarian.
Runaway Rose is also my State rep. I would have paid money to see this.
The dirty history is that Rose lied and lied when he ran against Green and then this year when not running against him still brought up his name and did some more lying.
Rick Green doens't seem to be a pushy man or violent in any manner but I think he had reached the limit of what he could stand said against him and his family.
As he said Rose should have fought him like a man but I think Rose is a girly man. Remember our founding fathers used to "take it outside" from time to time.
Watch Rose he told his 9th grade teacher that he would be President someday. He is JUST LIKE CLINTON. Slimy at best.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.