Brian Ormes, a Republican candidate for state House in Kentucky was arrested after allegedly strangling a teen at Walmart.
The incident occurred on Monday at the Valley Plaza Walmart after a ball three teens were playing with near the bike aisle almost hit Ormes’ son, the Cincinnati Enquirer reported.
The minors told police that Ormes, 53, got angry and started following them around the store.
Surveillance footage from inside the store showed Ormes following the 17-year-old before getting in his face and saying something. As the teen started to walk down the aisle, Ormes pushed him against a shelf and put his hand around the teen’s neck.
Ormes has been charged with first-degree strangulation, which is a felony and misdemeanor charges for menacing and fourth-degree assault. He was released from jail Tuesday on a $2,500 cash bond.
Ormes is running in the GOP primary to represent District 67 in the Kentucky state House.
At least one of his GOP opponents, Terry Hatton is calling for Ormes to leave the race after the incident.
“He should consider dropping out of the race,” Hatton said. “His actions last night, obviously, he has some personal issues that he needs to address before he can serve the public.”
The Campbell County Republican Party said they do not know enough about the incident yet to call on Ormes to drop out.
“However, we do firmly support Mr. Ormes’, and every American citizen’s, Constitutional right to due process and the presumption of innocence until proven guilty in a court of law,” the statement says.