Dem candidate for state rep faces assault charge after he allegedly 'cold cocked' GOP opponent

A Democratic candidate for state representative is being called on to drop out of the race after he reportedly "cold cocked" his Republican opponent.

The scuffle between the two candidates running for state representative in North Carolina's 46th district happened at the annual Beast Fest in Bladenboro, North Carolina. That's when Democratic candidate Tim Benton allegedly confronted GOP candidate Brenden Jones over controversial flyers.

“Some flyers have evidently been circulating saying Mr. Benton was involved in [a white supremacy group], and he was accusing Mr. Jones of being responsible for the flyers,” Woody Hester, an eyewitness, told the Bladen Journal.

Jones denied having anything to do with the flyers and suggested the two take their conversation across the street and away from the crowd. But as the two were crossing the highway, Hester said, "Benton kept nudging him with his shoulder the whole time."

"Benton was spewing profanity, screaming in Jones’ face saying, 'I’m going to kick your ass by the end of the day,'” the North Carolina GOP told WNCN-TV.

"[A]nd then he just stepped back a little and cold cocked him," Hester recalled.

"To beat all, he [Benton] left a little child in a stroller to walk across the street, and if Mr. Jones’ [wife] hadn’t caught her, the child would have rolled into the street."

No one was seriously injured.

Police said they didn't see exactly what happened. Both candidates left saying they planned to file charges against one other. The North Carolina GOP tweeted on Sunday that a criminal summons was issued for Benton and that the Democrat now faces assault charges. It was not clear whether Benton actually filed any charges.

UPDATE: Democrat Tim Benton has been issued a criminal summons and will appear in court on assault charges. #ncpol https://t.co/QMWw7pg3uH

— NC House Republicans (@NCHouseGOP) October 30, 2016

The North Carolina Republican Party didn't waste much time in calling for Benton to drop out of the race.

"Coldcocking" your opponent is unacceptable. Mr. Benton disqualified himself from holding public office. #ncpol pic.twitter.com/AW65Cp8Bz3

— Kami Mueller (@kamimueller) October 30, 2016

Local media reported Benton was responding in part to a direct mail piece linking him to Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton.

“It is clear this mail piece sent by the N.C. Republican Party struck a cord with Democrat Tim Benton, who objects to being connected to Hillary Clinton, even though they both seem to think they are above the law," North Carolina Republican Party executive chairman Dallas Woodhouse said.

Neither Benton nor the North Carolina Democratic Party responded to requests for comment from TheBlaze on Monday.