Camp Was Randy: State Senate Candidate Admitted Adultery As Grounds For Divorce
Posted on August 22, 2008 at 2:34 pm
While State Senate Candidate Randy Camp has received the blessing of the state’s highest ranking Democrat in his quest to hold the state Senate seat of former Lt. Governor John Wilder for the party, another state Democrat of significantly less prominence is not at all enthusiastic about the candidacy of Mr. Camp.
Tommy Roland, brother in law to Mr. Camp for 20 years, has written a damning letter, obtained by Post Politics, in which he calls into question his former brother-in-law’s fitness to serve.
The letter, dated July 15, which Mr. Roland says was sent to Governor Bredesen, Lt. Governor Wilder and “various others around the 26th state Senate District” accuses Mr. Camp of gross martial misconduct.
“Randy Camp’s conduct while married to my sister was horrible. He was having several affairs right under our noses. His actions have resulted in at least two broken marriages and damage to others, Families in both Crockett and Gibson Counties have been hurt by all of this. Lisa also received anonymous letters from Nashville telling her of extramarital affairs as well,” says Roland in the letter.
Attached with the letter is a copy of the divorce judgment against Mr. Camp in which Camp concedes to adultery as grounds for the divorce. An appellate court decision which gets into further details of the divorce including a dispute over alimony, is also online.
“Mr. Camp contends that the trial court erred in awarding Ms. Camp alimony in futuro rather than rehabilitative alimony, and in setting alimony at an inappropriately high amount. Mr. Camp asserts that, as the trial court found, Ms. Camp is a healthy and intelligent woman who is capable of earning $25,000 to $40,000 per year, depending on whether she completes her bachelor’s degree. He argues that the parties did not enjoy a lavish lifestyle during the course of their marriage and that, in light of the division of property, Ms. Camp is able to maintain a lifestyle similar to that enjoyed prior to the divorce and does not need alimony in futuro.”
Camp’s brother-in-law says that, while he does usually vote Democrat, he is not a political person and has no political agenda — he simply feels called to speak out.
“I’m just a country boy standin’ up for my sister,” Roland tells Post Politics. “If [Camp] had just waited a year or two, nobody in this family would have said a word about any of this.”
Indeed, timing seems to be a very crucial issue for Roland. He objects quite vigorously to the opening of wounds so quickly after infliction contending that the final divorce appeal was only resolved a month before Mr. Camp threw his hat in the ring for state senate (although he did appear to waver a bit).
Tommy Roland explains, “After nearly twenty years of infidelity and two years fighting in court, we all thought it was finally over. Then, thirty days after the court decided for Lisa, Mr. Camp announced his candidacy. How he could even think about running for office at this point in time is unbelievable.”
When contacted Camp’s ex-wife, Lisa Faye Roland Camp, told Post Politics that while she was not aware of her brother’s intention to send the letter she supports her brother in “doing what he felt he needed to do” and vouches for the letter’s veracity.
“Everything in the letter is true,” explains the candidate’s ex-wife.
In 2006, Camp resigned his position as State Administrative Officer of the Courts stating at the time his reason for the resignation in a press release.
“For the past several months I have been dealing with personal matters involving my family in West Tennessee,” Camp said. “These matters have now reached a level of complexity that will require even more of my attention over the coming weeks, perhaps months.”
Contacted by Post Politics, Camp said he was aware of the letter and, in fact, said the one originally received by Post Politics is not the only one of its kind circulating. Indeed, a different version of the letter, dated July 28, includes a postscript mentioning the harassment he received after sending the first letter.
Camp thinks that the distribution of these letters are, at the very least, intriguing.
“For a guy who claims to know nothing about politics, it’s interesting that these letters are shipped through bulk mail and seem to be sent to targeted voters,” explained Camp.
Camp tells P-squared that his campaign has received many, many calls about the letters most always from white female voters. Camp says that even when the callers are male they are always calling on behalf of a wife or a sister. Camp would not comment on whether he thought the letters were part of a coordinated effort by political opponents.
As to the content of the letter(s), Camp says there are both true and untrue statements contained within. He says, in the interest of his daughters (who support him and travel with him on the campaign trail), he is not going to go about rebutting any of it. That said, Camp does not shy away from admitting wrongdoing.
“Listen, like some folks have told me, if they had just stuck with the truth it would be bad enough,” said Camp. “I’m not hiding or covering up anything.”
The alimony dispute, Camp explains, was in the interest of his children.
“My ex-wife got quite a bit of property up front and she is capable of working. I was simply trying to get more money to my children. The judge made his decision, though, and that’s the end of it,” Camp explained.
Camp does not believe that his adultery should in any way disqualify him from office.
“If we only allowed perfect people to serve, we wouldn’t have many people up there,” explained Camp. “But that’s up to the voters to decide.”
Camp will face current state Rep. Dolores Gresham, who weeks ago emerged from a squeaker of a GOP primary with former candidate Bob Schutt, in the general election for the traditionally Democratic seat. The open seat is crucial one in the battle for the General Assembly as the Tennessee state Senate is currently divided evenly 16-16-1.
SEE ALSO:
Appellate court judgment
Tommy Roland Letter
Photo Of Camp with Harold Ford, Jr.
Bill Hobbs
Sean Braisted
Comments
52 Responses to “Camp Was Randy: State Senate Candidate Admitted Adultery As Grounds For Divorce”
I got a copy in the mail…. read it…. threw it away…. Who Cares!
Thanks for the insight, but why is this such a big deal and AJ McCall’s drunken escapades through Lebanon aren’t? If this were a Republican candidate would the story be about the mean ol’ man who sent out these letters instead of about the actions alleged?
Exactly, BA.
Bullshit.
He is right on when he says if there were only perfect people serving in the legislature that we wouldn’t have many people up there . . . hell, why isn’t this about the mean ol’ boy that sent the letter to people in the district?
Maybe Camp can get this expunged, too. I bet if he goes and buys a sofa or something, old A.J. will help him out.
At least he admitted it. That’s refreshing!
This is boring. Stop carrying water for Hobbs, A.C.K…..
Some people are still missing the point on A.J. McCall. McCall was accused of trying to force a woman in a WalMart parking lot into a van in the middle of the night. Since she flagged down a cop, it definitely sounds like this was against her will. That’s not even in the same ballpark as an extramarital affair. And don’t claim that I’m defending affairs. I’m not. They’re wrong and Camp ought to be ashamed.
I notice that his daughters are campaigning with him, so they’ve obviously forgiven him. This sounds like some political people are taking advantage of a hurt brother-in-law who probably still has hard feelings against the guy that cheated on his sister. I don’t blame the brother-in-law for being mad, but it sounds like he’s being used.
I’ll also give Camp some credit for owning up to what he did and admitting that it was wrong.
I haven’t seen McCall admit that he was wrong.
Not passing any judgments on Camp, but want to say again, Go, Gresham.
Here’s evidence of how desperate Ron Ramsey is. Gresham is getting trounced. She has no money. Bob Shutt and Tim Linder hate her. Republicans in the district are pissed that Ramsey stomped all over them and chose their nominee.
Meanwhile, Camp is raising tons of money and Democrats are united behind him.
P-Squared… that’s a bit too much, Kleinheider. What does that make you, then? O.G. Ack-Ack Attack?
As a strong West Tennessee Republican who has endured the tyranny of West Tennessee political boss Jimmy Wallace for many years, I see the end of his dynasty at hand. This vendetta sponsored chiefly by him in the form of probably a loan to his wife’s first cousin, Tommy Roland, my be his undoing. Although one will never know the truth, Wallace has bankrolled this whole deal.
“I’m just a country boy standing up for his sister,” doesn’t do a bulk rate mailing to every white female in the district. Dolores Noguera Gresham is behind this as well, as is Madison County Mayor Jimmy Harris, who’s name was on Jimmy Wallace’s first letter in support of Dolores Noguera Gresham.
Come on Republican’s! Let’s take our party back and restore it to the honor of good people like Lamar Alexander, Howard Baker, and Winfield Dunn. Jimmy Wallace, who once was a avowed Dixiecrat, once worked on the campaign of one George Wallace. He is from our GOP and it’s time to send him back to the land of Nod.
If you care about demagnetizing Tennessee to illegal immigration and having a sane, ethical person in that senate seat for a change, Delores Gresham has to be your pick. Gresham has shown the guts in bucking some of the monied interests and the RINOs by sponsoring bills that the people in her district want and need, given the check the Democrats and RINOs have stuck us taxpayers with because of Tennessee’s de facto sanctuary policy on illegal immigration. Law enforcement, please. That is what Delores Gresham has stood up for. She has more guts than dozens of the male all-talk-no-action seat-warmers up there have shown.
Women have had to lead on this issue in the legislature, starting with Marsha Blackburn, Donna Rowland, and Mae Beavers. But we don’t forget the guys, such as Ron Ramsey, Mark Norris, Tom DuBois, Bill Ketron, and others.
Dolores Noguera Gresham? What’s that all about?
Hmm, lets see…. AJ McCall gets defended by GOP Leaders after it is revealed he had two DUIs, one of which appeared to involved harrassing a woman….no expansive post or “hard hitting” report from Post Politics on that, huh?
But then Randy Camp’s ex-wife’s brother sends out a bitter letter (surprise, surprise, the brother of his ex wife is mad at him) and it gets a whole page of deep incisive commentary. Please. How much is the GOP paying Post Politics?
You know it’s a shame all this has been written about that po old country boy Tommy Roland. Well, heckfire, he and I have been drinking buddies since he got locked up driving around liquored up, one of those times. Why, even before he found the Lord, stopped forgiving his fellowman, and learning how to do direct mail, he was a good old boy.
I remember before he was married four times, and was a deadbeat dad and a wife beater, he used to ring the bell out front of Walmart every Christmas.
Y’all need to leave little ol Tommy alone, he’s defending all women by defending his sister. The Walton’s and the Roland’s are my kind of people. Just don’t near the sawmill when they’ve left the Dewdrop Inn!
Dolores Noguera Gresham is tough on illegal immigration? What? She gonna deport her family?
Jimmy Cracks Corn …. that is the funniest dang post I has ever seed on the interweb. Funny fo sho.
I for one am going to make sure I pay attention to the moral compass that is Tommy Roland. As shown by Jimmy Cracks Corn, Tommy Roland, Jimmy Wallace, and the delightful Delores Gresham (who I’m sure has nothing to do with this letter) are the type of people that we need funneling all of our money from our communities into their own pockets. I believe that Delores really and truly needed that extra money that she voted to give herself much more than her districts schools did.
I read the papers. What an absolute scum bag. I feel so sorry for kids who have narcissistic fathers like this loser.
And sorry to all the folks above who believe it doesn’t matter, it does.
This will cost him some votes. This wasn’t 20 years ago.
Yes sir, and if it were years ago, I guess it didn’t matter that good ol Tommy was whupin up on some poor girl. Well hell, I guess she deserved it.
I’m sure glad he’s not narCISSISTick any more. Ol Tommy is not about himself, he’s about everyone else, by sending bulk mail copies of a divorce decree to every white woman in the district.
You sho r right about good ol Tommy, he ain’t NaRcISSiStick, why hell, he’s courtin the electorate.
And 20 years ago Tommy’s kissin Cousin good ol Jimmy Wallace was working his NArcischism in frog jump with some ol gal, now what’s her name? It’ll come to me…….
So, Terry, since you’re in full judge-and-jury mode this morning, why haven’t you condemned A.J. McCall for attempting to abduct a woman in a WalMart parking lot? If a man is a Republican, is it okay to stalk WalMart parking lots late at night and try to force women into your van?
And while you’re at it, go ahead and give us a comment or two about Mike Faulk, the jerk off running against Mike Williams. Word all over Hawkins County is that he’s been screwing every married woman he can get his hands on. There’s a big stink about him and some woman that works for the county Republican Party.
Come on, Terry, give us some moralizing.
Try and distract from the issue at hand all you want. This is very bad news for the democrats and Mr Camp. That district is very conservative in its social values ….especially in the so called swing county of Chester where Freed Hardeman is. Its been a bad month for Mr Camp. The GOP out votes him by a 3 to 1 margin in the primary, the GOP also does very well in the swing counties of Chester and McNairy on primary day and now this.
Randy Camp has conducted himself personally in a horrible manner, and at least he admitted in some way to doing something wrong. While Republicans are guilty of doing bad things (for which they should not be defended), it is clear that Mr. Camp may fall short in personal integrity in his upcoming race against Dolores Gresham.
Gresham and her husband Will have served their country well for years in the Marines as a lieutenant colonel, and she has a tremendous track record of constituent and community service throughout Fayette and Hardeman counties (across many different areas such as farming and economic development). As a state representative, with her very personable campaign style, she has worked hard for the constituents of District 94 and has been reelected twice.
Former Lieutenant Governor Wilder is strongly backing Camp in this race. This fact makes it clear that the Democrat good ol boy network in west Tennessee needs to take a back seat to sincere, effective public servants like Gresham.
Now I think we can all understand and appreciate why the Good ‘ol Boy Network hates Rosalind Kurita so much. They’ve been diddling with their pants down for the last twenty years, and the fact that they couldn’t even come up with a vetted candidate to replace JOHN FREAKING WILDER just proves that they expected the old boy to live forever.
Dolores Noguera Gresham Forms Hispanic Republicans Group
Viva Dolores!
The Republican National Hispanic Assembly announced the formation and slate of officers of its Tennessee Chapter at the inaugural state chapter meeting on Thursday, July 31, 2008. The mission of the chapter is to build a membership organization to foster the principles of the Republican Party in the Hispanic community, to provide a forum for Hispanic Americans to play an influential role in local, state, and national political activities, and to create and maintain a network of Hispanic Republican leaders.
“The Tennessee Chapter is excited about spreading the core principles of the Republican Party throughout the Hispanic community in our state,” said Chapter President Raul Lopez. “In addition, we look forward to electing Republican candidates who represent these core values of family, faith, and freedom. As a growing voting bloc, Hispanics will play an increasingly important role in the political process in Tennessee and across the country.”
Guests at the inaugural meeting included Republican officials from across the state including Governor Winfield Dunn, State Senators Jack Johnson, Jim Tracy, and Bill Ketron, and State Representatives Debra Maggart, Beth Harwell, Glen Casada, Susan Lynn, and Dolores Gresham.
And those of you who are engaging in racial politics by your cute references to Mrs. Gresham’s names are not only racists, you’re fools. But please keep it up!
Wow, Terry Frank and her friend hACK just cant wrap their hands around what AJ McCall did, but they are climbing high on their soapbox against Randy Camp.
Terry Frank had nary a word to say about Republican nominee AJ McCall’s harrassment of a woman late at night WHEN HE WAS MARRIED…but she is so excited to judge Randy Camp…nice.
Nothing racial about accepting oneself. I’m proud Dolores is finally telling her supporters about herself. That’s why “R” is her middle name!
I keep spelling Dolores Gresham’s name wrong. Very sorry. I get her name mixed up with that of a Georgia lawmaker I used to know.
Anyone who would receive such a letter in the mail and say “who cares?” is obviously not in line with the values of the 26th Senate district and is probably posting from outside the district. This is a VERY socially conservative/rural area that cares deeply about Christian values, and anyone who thinks this won’t hurt Camp is badly mistaken.
I believe it was Harry Truman who once said, “If you can’t be loyal to your wife, you can’t be loyal to me as a friend.” Well, I’ll take that another step and say that you can’t be trusted to stand up for Christian values in public office if you can’t even do it in your own private life.
I’m not defending AJ McCall (and I do think his incident is worse than Camp’s if the reports are accurate), but that incident was about 15 years ago — not a few months before he announced as Camp’s infidelity was. I want to see that he’s a different person — a person worth trusting — and I don’t see that with Camp.
Again, I wouldn’t care if an incident was an recent as just five or 10 years before the candidate ran, but they have to show me they changed in some way. Did you have a religious experience? Did you start a family? Did something make you more responsible? Camp is the same guy.
If you folks want to sit here and defend a dishonest man who can’t keep his snake under control, go right ahead; but I’m tired of this crap in Nashville. I’m voting for a moral person who has the Christian conservative values we need in the state Senate. I urge everyone to join me in supporting Dolores Gresham — the trustworthy candidate for state Senate — who will go to Nashville and make us proud.
JJ — Adamsville, TN
As a Fayette County Republican who believes in Christian morals, I’ve believed that Dolores head those as well. That is until she decided to throw away her foster children when the going got to tough. I won’t vote for the Democrat, but I won’t vote for cruelty either.
How long have you been working for the Gresham campaign, Jeremy?
As for people outside the district getting involved, where does Jimmy Wallace live? For that matter, where does Tommy Roland live? Why don’t you ask Tommy where all he’s been arrested? Were all of those arrests in the district?
As for the month thing, Tommy is whining and crying because Camp announced that he was running for office a month after the appeal of his divorce became final. The divorce was over two years ago.
You might want to check into the backgrounds of the the two people pushing these letters — Tommy Roland and Jimmy Wallace — before you begin moralizing. You might also want to check into Gresham’s dealings in Nashville. She ain’t no angel.
Has Dolores ever published where she was born? Why her middle name change? Has she been married more than once? As a possible constituent, I’d like to know her history, cause I certainly know a lot on the other person. However, before making a decision on whom I vote for, I would like to know more on Dolores’ background. I respect her career and admire her service, but I would like to know her entire bio, if I’m to completely commit. Cause the other guy, this Camp, isn’t likely to inspire me. I voted for Shutt and think he’s a wonderful man. Didn’t appreciate Dolores calling him a liar in her ads. If Dolores doesn’t come clean as to her background, I’ll be looking to elect Shutt in the next four years. And I expect a great number of other Shutt voters will just not vote that far down the ballot.
It is disgusting that you would want to elect someone to a place of decision making and power when he obviously isn’t capable of making good decisions anywhere in his life. And I’m not asking for someone perfect in office but please at least be better than that. I am looking for a decent person in office whether a republican or a democrat and if you show no discretion at all I hope that one would receive no votes at all. As for me… I’m voting Gresham!
I said I didn’t care because I voted republican, and Camp is a democrat.
Yes, I certainly hope we can get some of the snakes under control.
You know these comments defending this cheating husband are a prime example of the democrats and their acceptance of anyone regardless if they break their marriage vows or not. Why shouldn’t the voters be made aware of the characther of the man or woman they are being asked to support with money and votes?
Why one would support the likes of this man amazes me. Of course it blew me away that one would vote for Clinton and let him run the country not once but twice.
America might just deserve what it gets with this stinkin thinkin!
On Dolores Gresham, I know this lady and she is a fine lady and has defended the rights of the unborn and defended the rights of the law abiding citizen to keep and bear arms. She has worked long and hard hours while spending days away from home to do so, to keep our state on the up and up and to watch after all of our interests. She is a great servant and defender and deserves a shot at helping to reclaim the conservative control of the Senate.
Support her and yourself by voting for Dolores.
I’m a young Republican who has worked in several races in West Tennessee, mostly as a volunteer. But I’ve worked with some real fun characters! However, I’m in training for the ministry and recently have studied with great interest some of the facts surrounding Mr. Camp and Ms. Gresham’s race. I’m probably going to vote for Dolores. I think she’s a battle tested leader who has a proven track record on issues important to me. However, as I mentioned, I’ve worked on campaigns and know how mean they can get when no one is watching. And I’ve seen this letter stuff before, and know the terrible impact it can have on the family of those the letter is being written about, even if the letter wasn’t written directly about the kids, wives, etc…
That’s why I’m starting a blog called freejacksontennessee.blogspot.com
I’d like to see if there is a way that since now we Republican’s pretty much control West Tennessee, if we can start a more civil way of winning. One which allows even more people to feel like they can be a part. This blog is based on the belief that a few privileged people run things for the rest of us. These people are often of senior status and are not preparing to make way for the next generation of leadership.
Check out my blog and let me know what you think.
Not Working for DG:
As I said before, I see nothing in the past two years that would improve Mr. Camp’s ability to make decisions. Whether it was a few months or two years is irrelevant. My stance that I want to see a change in the person more than I want to see a lapse in time still stands.
As I also said before (when I mentioned the fact that anyone who wouldn’t care about adultery is likely posting outside the district), the 26th Senate district cares deeply about moral issues and thus I feel this letter will have a definite impact on the decision of some voters. I don’t care where Roland or Wallace live. It’s irrelevant.
The two people you mention as not having sterling records themselves are not running for office — Randy Camp and Dolores Gresham are. It’s also hard to attack the credibility of what Roland said in the letter when a court record is attached to verify the story.
Not that it matters, I am also not employed by Dolores Gresham. I’m a law student at the University of Memphis and call Adamsville, TN home.
Was Randy Camp born in Alamo, TN?
I have known Randy Camp most all my life. He and Lisa, yes they had problems, who don’t? They both in my sight are very good people. We ALL make mistakes in our lives, some can admitted it some can’T. Thats the ones you have to worry about the Cannot ones !! Think about it ! I do not live in Randy’s district now but believe he is the man for the Job !
I want to know more about Dolores Gresham and the foster children she used to care for. I heard she got tired of them and just kicked them out.
Dear Mr. Smith:
Ask the staff at the Governor’s office how many days that Randy Camp actually worked - they will tell you about three a week. He did however, spend much of his time with this dark haired woman from Milan (I can’t say I blame him - pretty fantastic looking woman). Where is she now?? I’d like her number!!
So I want to know Mr. & Mrs. Smith - if you want to continue to spend your hard earned tax dollars on someone who dallies and is not focused in his committments to the State of TN. I don’t care how long you have known him. His work record is horrible.
As far as him being a farmer - has he ever worked his land himself - NO!!
My favorite is that Camp “opposes gay marriage”, found on his website. I suppose because he believes in the sanctity of marriage. What a first, rate liar. I’m glad he was exposed for the hypocrite that he is. Call them all out.
Mag
know everything is over and done with this terrible mud slingimg, name calling, election. I would just like to know, does the “Roland family, and the other contributors “wink, wink”,only pick and choose which parts of the Bible this so called Christan, moral family reads? Alcoholism is okay, wife beating is okay-There is a whole lot in the family’s closet. Let me leave you with this: (shortened) Matthew 7—Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgement ye judge, ye shall be judged, and with what measures ye mete, it shall be measured to you again(when you stand before God)…….Luke 6:37—Do not judge, and you will not be judged, and do not condemn and you will not be condemned, pardon and you will be pardoned… Luke 6:41
Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?
My mom killed Randy camps nephew (Tom Camp) after he beat her for 6 years. She was sentenced in Crockett County Tennessee to 18 years. Where Randy Camp was a judge. Even though you would think it to be illegal to not move the trial. I know the camp family and I know that there is alot of corruption that surrounds the family.
I just heard from a friend that when Randy Camp’s attorney told him that his ex-wife had accused him of around 20 affairs during the course of his marriage to her, his reply to his attorney was “Ha!! She doesn’t know the half of them”. I bet even his attorney was disgusted with him as a client.
I’m hoping that he never has to opportunity to run for any office of any kind!! What a louse and what a horrible person to have deceived her and others. Let’s hope that this is the last we will hear of him!! I HOPE YOU ARE READING THIS RANDY CAMP!! You have no conscious!!
The whole show is a phoney! they staged the whole thing! I am not watching ever again!!!
Great blog. Do you know of any relevant forums or dicussion groups?