Pro-Life State Senate Candidate Accused Of Advising Abortion
Posted on October 20, 2008 at 6:08 pmThe letter writing campaign against 26th District state Senate candidate Randy Camp does not appear to be letting up in the least out in West Tennessee. The candidate who was revealed in August to have committed adultery in his marriage now stands accused by his ex-wife of counseling a woman to have an abortion.
The first volley in this letter-writing campaign (which all participants assure Post Politics has come without direction from the Republican Party or the campaign of Camp’s opponent, State Rep. Dolores Gresham) was lobbed by Randy Camp’s former brother-in-law, Tommy Roland.
In a letter, distributed this summer to “some folks around the district” and motivated by a “country-boy” urge to defend his sister, Roland got into the nitty-gritty of Randy Camp’s divorce of his wife, Lisa. A copy of the divorce records where Camp admitted to adultery in his marriage were enclosed.
The next letter was sent by Camp’s former mother-in-law. In her letter, the grandmother of young Catherine and Leigh Camp documents her pleading in correspondence to candidate Camp that he not use his daughters in a political fashion. Camp declined.
Now, in the most salacious chapter, Lisa Roland Camp, Randy Camp’s ex-wife, has penned her own letter bearing her own signature.
In the letter Lisa Camp accuses her pro-life candidate ex-husband, Randy Camp, of counseling an unnamed woman to have an abortion.
I am ashamed that I have watched [Randy Camp] tell voters lie and after lie after lie and said nothing. But when I saw him use our daughters in an effort to portray himself as pro-life, I knew I couldn’t remain silent any longer.
Randy Camp is not pro-life. He may tell you that in an effort to get your vote but when confronted with an inconvenient pregnancy, he counseled abortion. I know. Fortunately, the woman did not listen.
When contacted by Post Politics Lisa Camp confirmed that she was the author of the letter. She said that the letter had been sent out to “a bunch” of people around the district and that her reasons for writing were simple.
“All these years I’ve lived with Randy Camp, I know he is not pro-life,” Camp explained. “I was gonna stay out of it. Really, I was. But after I saw that commercial with my girls saying he was pro-life, I just couldn’t stay out of it anymore.”
Lisa Camp refused to comment on whether she had been present for the abortion counseling or if she had heard it from the person counseled.
When asked how she could assure Post Politics that Randy Camp had counseled a woman to get an abortion Camp responded matter-of-factly.
“You’re just gonna have to take my word for it,” Camp explained, “I just know.”
Speaking for Randy Camp, State Senate Democratic Caucus Political Director Mark Brown says that Camp “flatly denies” these allegations.
Brown says that Camp has “never advised anyone to have an abortion and has no idea what incident [Ms. Camp] writes about.”
The campaign also released the following statement by Mark Brown:
“Everyone that knows Randy Camp knows that he is pro-life and pro-traditional values. He and [Rep. Gresham] agree on that.
Where they disagree is on her belief that government should work for her and not for the people. [Rep. Gresham] and her supporters can try to distract voters from her record with accusations and innuendo, but it won’t work.
The fact of the matter is that the only two accomplishments of Dolores Gresham’s legislative career have been to raise her own pay and to give herself thousands of dollars of taxpayer money in farm grants. She and her supporters just don’t get that they can’t obscure that fact.”
Comments
4 Responses to “Pro-Life State Senate Candidate Accused Of Advising Abortion”
Is anyone ever going to examine the new boss Crump of West Tennessee, Jimmy Wallace? Ask Wallace a question or two. Ask why he holds one of the largest cities in Tennessee in the palm of his hand. Who can be this powerful anywhere else in this state?
I have known Randy Camp for only 7 years. He is a dear friend to me that I love like a brother. As with family, one doesn’t blindly excuse certain behaviors. That said, I must speak up for my friend.
I have not had the pleasure to meet Ms. Camp. In all our conversations, Randy spoke of her lovingly. Additionally, Randy is so very proud of his daughters. He never misses an opportunity to ask about my wife, Jody, or his “Lil’ Darlin’” my 8 year old daughter Catie. This is the man I know - a loyal supportive friend.
What a tragedy for all this pent-up hatred to spill into the public eye. No one in the Camp family deserves it. I hope those who read this will join me in praying for peace, forgiveness and reconciliation for the Camp family as a new and exciting future unfolds for all of them - regardless of the election outcome.
No one should take pleasure in this drama as there will be no winners if it continues. In closing, I wish my friend well in every aspect of his life. Moreover, I do the same for his family and pray that all may find peace.
Sincerely,
Vance
Vance W. Cheek, Jr.
Former Claims Commissioner (2001-2006)
Greaham is despicable. To sink to such low campaign tactics is beneath contempt. She is obviously losing this race badly, and she deserves to, given her record. But stooping this low is disgusting. I hope Gresham is run out of public life for good.
I 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)…….Kuke 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…Guess you missed “those type of verses”