U.S. Rep. Scott DesJarLaisRepublican U.S. Rep. Scott DesJarlais has posted a strong lead in his bid for re-election despite revelations he once had an affair with a patient and urged her to get an abortion. The congressman has claimed to be pro-life. Democrats later identified the district as a possible pickup, and began to pour money into the race.
With 54 percent of precincts reporting, the Jasper physician had 67,095 votes, or 60 percent, compared with Democrat Eric Stewart's 45,394, or 40 percent.
DesJarlais was the only one of the nine-member Tennessee delegation in Congress to face a serious challenge.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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