The husband of former Arizona Senate candidate Kelli Ward (R) has been accused of spitting on a former campaign volunteer after he became a supporter of opponent Martha McSally (R).
On Nov 6, police in Paradise Valley were called to the Arizona Republican Party's election-night gala, where 29-year-old Scott Robert Johnston claimed that he was spit on by Michael Ward, The Arizona Republic reported. Police took statements from both men and an unidentified witness.
Johnston told the paper that he was wearing a McSally shirt when he was approached by Michael Ward.
"Mike Ward came up to me after a friend of mine had gone up to say hello to him," he recalled. "(Ward) started yelling profanities because we were supporting McSally. It was at that point that he said, 'We unfriended you on Facebook because you were supporting McSally. You have no idea what Kelli has done to help McSally,' and some other expletives. It was then that he spit in my eye."
In his statement to police, Michael Ward denied touching or spitting on Johnston.
The report comes amid Kelli Ward's bid to become the chairwoman of the Arizona Republican Party.
Arizona Republican Party Executive Director Kyle Pierce slammed the former candidate over the incident.
"It is extremely disappointing to learn about the assault that occurred at the election night watch party hosted by the Arizona Republican Party," Pierce insisted. "On a night meant to celebrate with our dedicated volunteers who had united behind our Republican candidates, the Wards decided to settle political scores. Her recent calls for unity ring hollow given the attacks on those who unified behind our Republican nominee."
It was not immediately clear if Paradise Valley police had closed the case.
