DALLAS (WBAP/KLIF News) – Disgraced Congressman Joe Barton of Ennis has not announced plans to end his run for re-election following the release of a nude photo of himself that he sent to a woman.
UNT Political Science Professor Phillip Paolino said because the so-called scandal didn’t involve illegal activity, he doubts it will affect Barton’s decision to run.
“If this incident were to have any effect, I actually think it would be more likely to affect him in terms of attracting a Republican challenger in the primary,” he said.
Which is exactly what has happened. According to the Dallas Morning News, retired U.S. Navy pilot and Texas Veterans Commissioner Jake Ellzey is the first Republican to challenge Barton’s seat.
Paolino said the timing of Barton’s scandal gives him ample time to run damage control.
“There’s opportunities for the candidates willing to stay in to do the remedial work to counter these charges to make counter arguments,” he said.
Paolino said that because the story surfaced so far ahead of next year’s election, it could have only a minor impact on Barton’s campaign.
“People who were going to inclined to support candidate in their party to find reasons to rationalize…to say well maybe that is not so bad,” he said.
Barton publicly apologized for the photo and said that police are investigating the posting of the photo as a possible crime against him.
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