A campaign advertisement attacking Alabama House District 95 challenger Joe Freeman accuses him of assault and walking out on his children. But State Rep. Frances Holk-Jones (R-Foley), who Freeman is running to replace, said she has nothing to do with it.
The ad claims Freeman has been married five times and has two spousal assault allegations. The commercial claims he was accused of walking out on his children.
Holk-Jones pointed out the ad is paid for by North Alabama PAC out of Huntsville. The PAC was organized by political consultant Stephen Raby in 2017.
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“I want to be clear that I have nothing to do with this ad,” Holk-Jones said. “I don't know if Joe has been married once or five times, and I certainly have no personal knowledge of him being arrested for beating up his wife, past wife, multiple wives or none of them.”
Holk-Jones said she has also endured personal attacks.
According to records with the Alabama Secretary of State’s Office, North Alabama PAC received $150,000 from the Sports Betting Alliance on June 3. Freeman has expressed that he is anti-gambling and is against gaming expansion in Alabama.
Freeman called the attacks “slanderous” and named several political players. He said he wouldn’t respond to the attacks, but changed his mind in the name of transparency.
“My life story includes successes, failures, challenges, and lessons learned. I have never claimed to be perfect,” Freeman said. “What I have promised voters is honesty, accountability, and the courage to stand up for what is right.”
Freeman addressed each allegation and asked voters to “look at the complete facts, not just selective allegations.” He also included a response from his ex-wife,
Freeman’s children also took to Facebook to dispel rumors. His son, Taylor Freeman, and his wife, Mikayla, made a video calling the claims false.
“There are some false claims going around that Joe Freeman is not involved in his children’s lives, and that could not be farther from the truth,” Mikayla Freeman said.
The couple said the ad has been hurtful and asked citizens to vote for Joe Freeman in the June 16 primary runoff.
The May primary ended with Holk-Jones receiving 42% of the vote to Freeman’s 39%. Elijah Davidson received 19% of the vote.
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