(Memphis) In the race for the 9th Congressional District, Republican candidate Dr. George Flinn defended on News Channel 3 Live at 9 one of his political campaign ads attacking incumbent Steve Cohen on congressional travel and absences.
“He (Cohen) is in the top ten of travel at government expense,” Flinn said.
It’s also the campaign ad that incumbent Congressman Steve Cohen wants removed from the airwaves, “He said it straight on Live at 9. He put the two together saying they were taxpayer-funded trips and absences when he should be doing congressional work. That was a lie.”
But Flinn said his information is correct about Cohen’s travel and absences, “That ad, I stand behind it.”
Cohen said the information in the ad is misleading about his congressional voting record.
He said the trips mentioned in the ad were not taxpayer-funded and he says some of the votes he missed were because he came home to attend the funerals of civil rights leader, Dr. Benjamin Hooks, businessman and Huey’s restaurant owner, Thomas Boggs, and the passing of his own mother.
“I was there when she died. I was where I was supposed to be and for him to suggest I was playing, that is despicable,” Cohen said.
“All of the information in that ad came from the federal government website of the U.S. Congress. He should take that information up with the U.S. Congress,” Flinn said.
The candidates also clashed over tax returns. Cohen released his returns to News Channel Three outlining his salary, pension and investments.
Cohen says if Dr. Flinn wants to debate him he will have to do the same, “Talking about a debate is his main issue. You’d think he’d release his income taxes unless he’s got something really serious that he’s hiding.”
“I have released all the records as required by law. Cohen has been in office for six years. If he thinks more records should be released, he should have introduced legislation in Congress.”
Cohen is scheduled to be on News Channel 3 Live at 9 Friday morning.
