Thread by @ashtonpittman

THREAD: Republican senate candidate Mario Barnes is promoting his campaign with a video showing him punching a man who “questioned” him.

Supporters enthusiastically applauded the pro-Trump candidate for it at a campaign event. #MSelex 1/
deepsouthvoice.com/index.php/2019…

This clip shows Mississippi Senate District 5 candidate Mario Barnes punching voter Lance Acton in Sept. 2018. Barnes says Acton questioned his military service. He is using this clip to promote his campaign after supporters cheered when he told the story. #MSelex 2/

The victim called Tupelo police, but new footage shows officers praising Senate candidate Mario Barnes for “whippin’ that ass.”

Officer 1: “I’m good with that!”

Officer 2: “That’s what I said, shit!”

1: “Rock on, brotha.”

2: “I bet he won’t question him next time.” #MSelex 3/

Mario Barnes was arrested for being drunk in public that night, though, but he was not charged for punching a man in the head.

He says he is the candidate who will “drain the swamp and fight corruption in Jackson.” #MSelex 4/
deepsouthvoice.com/index.php/2019…

Mario Barnes is a conservative Republican who supports the Mississippi flag (with its Confederate imagery). Recently, he called black leaders in Jackson “racist” for participating in this black city leadership conference (reported on by @AliyahJFP): jacksonfreepress.com/news/2019/jul/… 5/

Mario Barnes is the son of an immigrant, but he is campaigning for senate in supports of Trump’s extreme anti-immigrant policies. #MSelex 6/
deepsouthvoice.com/index.php/2019…

Violence by Republican candidates is not new in the Trump era.

Republican candidate for Congress Greg Gianforte assaulted reporter @Bencjacobs last year for asking him a question for @guardian; Trump praised him for it, and Gianforte won the election. 7/
google.com/amp/s/www.nbcn…