NASHVILLE — U.S. Rep. Scott DesJarlais, R-Tenn., said today that God has “forgiven me” and asked “fellow Christians” and constituents “to consider doing the same” over a tawdry past that included supporting his ex-wife’s two abortions and, as a physician, sleeping with patients, including one he urged to undergo the procedure.
The freshman 4th Congressional District congressman and physician also told Nashville conservative talk show host Ralph Bristol this morning that he has no intention of resigning his seat and will seek reelection in 2014.
DesJarlais portrayed himself during his reelection campaign as a “consistent supporter of pro-life values.”
“I don’t think, Ralph, that I implied that there was nothing in my past,” DesJarlais said today as he defended himself. “I didn’t go back and dig up all my personal shortcomings and display them. I went through this divorce a long time ago. I made a very poor decision in my first marriage.”
He said he believes in “grace and redemption,” adding, “I think God gave me a second chance.”
For complete details, see tomorrow’s Chattanooga Times Free Press.
Andy Sher is a Nashville-based staff writer covering Tennessee state government and politics for the Times Free Press. A Washington correspondent from 1999-2005 for the Times Free Press, Andy previously headed up state Capitol coverage for The Chattanooga Times, worked as a state Capitol reporter for The Nashville Banner and was a contributor to The Tennessee Journal, among other publications. Andy worked for 17 years at The Chattanooga Times covering police, health care, county government, ...
