Merritt sues opponent for defamation

Rep. Tommy Merritt, at a press conference yesterday. The gloves have come off in District 7’s race between incumbent State Representative Tommy Merritt and political newcomer Mark Williams.

Friday, Merritt filed a defamation lawsuit against his opponent in Gregg County.

At a press conference in front of the Gregg County Courthouse, Merritt said he’s “taking a stand for democracy, honesty, my family and most importantly my district.”

Merritt’s lawsuit is based on television and radio ads and mailers that have been aired and circulated during the past few weeks by the Williams’ campaign.

Merritt said these contain “gross distortions and misrepresentations about my voting record.”

As an example, Merritt said Williams’ claims that he (Merritt) only passed eight bills is not true.

“I have passed close to 200 pieces of legislation and brought millions of dollars in state funding to my district,” Merritt said. “I work hard to represent the citizens of my district.”

Merritt said his hard work has earned him the endorsement of school superintendents through house district 7.

“They (the superintendents) know the truth and you can ask any of them about my record on education,” the incumbent said.

Merritt’s wife, Janet, and other family members were at his side during the press conference.

“My husband, my children and our family have been viciously attacked with lies and distortions,” Mrs. Merritt said. “I know my husband is a conservative who works hard for our district.”

Mrs. Merritt said, “These vicious lies about Tommy’s voting record are a disgrace to democracy and a vile attack on our family. Shame on you, Mr. Williams, for your lies. Shame on you Jim Leininger for funding these lies.”

“It is sad Tommy Merritt is resorting to this bizarre and desperate campaign tactic. It is inappropriate and unethical to clog our courts with a frivolous and blatantly political lawsuit. Elections are rightfully decided by voters, not judges. I am confident the people of East Texas are ready for a change,” Williams said in a prepared statement.

When Merritt announced his suit from the courthouse steps, Williams was out of town to watch his son’s team in the final four of a state high school tournament, but his office issued a statement on his behalf.

Leininger is a San Antonio businessman financing a number of candidates who are running against incumbents in state races.

In an earlier Kilgore News Herald story, Williams said he’s never actually met Leininger, who has contributed $160,000 to the Williams campaign. He also stated earlier that his ads are “not negative .. just factual.” Although the ads originate with the Texas Republican Legislative Campaign Committee, a political action committee largely funded by Leininger, Williams said he reviews all the materials before they are released.

Merritt said the campaign is about democracy in the state. “He (Leininger) is trying to take out five (state) representatives for selfish reasons,” Merritt said. “I’m truly worried about the distortions to the record. It’s time to bring these distortions to a screeching halt.”

“Tommy Merritt is filing a frivolous lawsuit because he knows he is losing the election. This is a vain and feeble attempt to avoid full disclosure of his voting record,” Williams’ campaign said. “We have run an issue oriented campaign based on the official voting record as published in the House Journal. Tommy Merritt's permission or consent is not required for us to do so. He must be accountable for his performance.”

Merritt said calls from his constituents were the “straw that broke the camel’s back” and made him decide to file suit against Williams.

“They are embarrassed about Mark Williams,” Merritt said. “They are truly upset about what’s going on in the district.”

Merritt said Williams “was notified we would like for him to tell the truth” and “until my opponent apologizes and stops his lying campaign I will not appear with him for the rest of this campaign.

“Only cowards hide behind lies,” Merritt said. “My opponent is both a coward and a liar ... its time for the lies to stop.”

Former State Senator Bill Ratliff, himself a target of one of Leininger’s earlier political action committees, recently wrote an “op-ed” piece, published in the News Herald, decrying the influence of out-ofdistrict money on local political campaigns.

“We will continue to address his performance in Austin,” Williams’ statement said. “We will continue to debate the issues that are important to East Texas. If Tommy Merritt wants to try to move that debate to the courthouse it only serves as further evidence that he does not belong in the state house.”

(This story was first published Friday on kilgorenewsherald.com)