BNI Newswire

Former State Representative and current state senatorial candidate Steve Flowers has denied allegations he assaulted a 10-year-old Shelby County child this past weekend.

Flowers held a press conference at his home and campaign headquarters in Riverchase on Wednesday.

He and one of his campaign workers, 18-year-old Dylon Reeves, contend Flowers approached a man who was placing negative campaign signs about him in Pelham.

Flowers said the signs were "misleading."

Reeves said he called 911 and left the car engine running.

He said the man, who Flowers identified as David Dyer, threatened to kill Flowers, chased the two with a hammer and got back into his car and drove away.

Flowers and Reeves followed the vehicle driven by Dyer; however, they were unable to catch him.

Media reports have indicated that Dyer’s story is somewhat different.

In Dyer’s version, an angry Flowers approached him and his son as they were hanging signs.

Dyer claims Flowers spit on his cheek and in an attempt to protect his father, the 10-year-old got in-between the two men.

Flowers then threw his keys and hit the child in the face, Dyer claims.

Flowers said Dyer is the cause of many of his current campaign problems.

Dyer is the investigator who was originally hired to prove Flowers was not a resident of District 14.

Following the investigation, a state Republican candidate committee ruled Flowers was ineligible to be on the ballot; however, Montgomery Circuit Court Judge Charles Price, ruled the committee acted too late and Flowers was to remain on the ballot.

Despite the ruling by Price, Shelby County Circuit Court Judge Michael Joiner will rule June 5 on whether the state Republican Party, led by party chairman Marty Connors, will be allowed to certify Flowers’ votes.

Flowers accused Dyer of breaking into his home and harassing and stalking his family and campaign workers.

"These girls (his daughters) don’t deserve this," he said. "My wife doesn’t deserve this."

Flowers’ wife, Rebecca, said she came home recently to find her back door open.

"The horrors of dirty politics have almost become unbearable. I fear another home invasion," she said. "I just want my family to feel safe.

"All we’ve asked for is a fair election. One day we’ll know who’s behind this."

Flowers said this Senate race is definitely taking its toll on he and his family.

"This is the meanest-spirited campaign I’ve ever seen. I hate to be the brunt of it," he said. "It’s been hard for my wife, my daughters, my campaign workers and me personally."

Flowers is one of four candidates vying for the state senate seat, vacated by Bill Armistead, who is a Republican candidate for lieutenant governor.

On Tuesday, Flowers accused Dyer for working with senatorial candidate Hank Erwin, in conspiring in a "character assassination" – a claim which Erwin denies.

The negative campaign referred to by Flowers was one orchestrated by a political action committee based in Pelham. Truth Pac was formed last Friday and besides displaying signs across the area, has launched a web site with information against Flowers and his campaign.

This is not Flowers first run for a state office, he had previously served in the Alabama House of Representatives, representing the Troy area.

Attempts to reach Dyer were unsuccessful Wednesday afternoon.