A last minute bid by the State Democratic party to uncover more damaging details of Rep. Scott DesJarlais's private life is apparently successful.
The 4th district congressman was in a Chattanooga courtroom Monday where a judge was asked to unseal his divorce records.
Hamilton county Circuit court judge Jacqueline Bolton was asked by the state democratic for two things.
They wanted her to unseal 5 files from his divorce 14 years ago.
And they wanted a complete transcript of the case.
Three weeks ago, the former girlfriend of the Marion county physician accused him of urging her to have an abortion.
GERARD STRANCH, IV, ATTORNEY, STATE DEMOCRATIC PARTY "I believe it will definitely provide more clarity to the voters as to the integrity of the people they are voting for."
At mid-morning, Circuit court judge Jacqueline Bolton ruled that the 5 files in question have no relevance to the democratic party's case.
The former wife, Susan Felton, also had an attorney present.
MICHAEL GALLIGAN, EX-WIFE'S ATTORNEY "She tried to stay out of it ..She has a child. Its Dr. DesJarlais's child. She would rather this not come out for the sake of her child.
But judge Bolton did agree to release the transcript of the divorce.
BRANDON PUTTBRESE, STATE DEMOCRATIC PARTY OFFICIAL
"Voters deserve to know that he has zero credibility as a licensed physician.
He can't handle medical issues because he can't handle his own medical practice."
Rep. DesJarlais made no statement but left the courthouse with his attorney, with this advice for reporters.
REP. SCOTT DESJARLAIS , (R) 4TH DISTRICT " ...Do your homework."
Later, Dr. DesJarlais' office released this statement:
"The sole reason I appeared in Chattanooga today was to protect my children from these desperate attacks being driven by the Tennessee Democratic Party, Lincoln Davis and my ex-wife.
My opponent and his far-left political allies have done all they can to make this election about everything besides my record in Congress. In fact, it seems that the only opponent that I have ever had to run against is a 14 year old divorce."
Rep. Desjarlais faces Democrat Eric Stewart in Tuesday's general election.
