Candidate for State Senate District 18 Jim Hawkins issues statement re. Diane Black attack ads.

Last night Diane Black began running attack ads on primetime television against former opponent and current Gallatin Mayor, Jo Ann Graves. The ads began airing on multiple Nashville television stations as part of Black's re-election effort. The TV ads do not reveal that Black's opponent is Jim Hawkins, not Jo Ann Graves.

The Sumner County Democratic Party called on Black to apologize for airing the attack ads. [Ed note: See below.]

Jim Hawkins, Democratic candidate for State Senate District 18, joined the call for Senator Black to apologize.

"It is unfortunate for Mayor Graves and her family that this happened. It appears to be a careless mistake by Senator Black's campaign, but it is truly disappointing to hear Mr. Black's initial reaction to Mayor Graves' request," said Hawkins. "I call on Senator Black to immediately apologize to Mayor Graves, her family, and the public who may have been confused or misled by these commercials."

"While these ads remind us of Senator Black's track record of partisan politics, the core message of the Jim Hawkins campaign continues to be progress, not politics," said Hawkins. "Robertson and Sumner Counties deserve and need a new State Senator who will lead with a focus on public service, common ground, and strong Tennessee mainstream values. I will be that State Senator."