- The Washington Times - Wednesday, November 5, 2014

The chairwoman of Stokes County, North Carolina, Democratic Party was arrested Tuesday after allegedly kicking a poll worker during a political dispute.

Vivian Groves Fulk, 55, was charged with one count of simple assault after she “dumped tea on a man and kicked him in the groin,” King police said. The victim was identified as John Payton Bates.

Mr. Bates later explained to a local NBC affiliate that he was was working at the polling place at the American Legion when he began arguing with Ms. Fulk, who was allegedly passing out items connected to the Democratic Party.

Mr. Bates, whose niece was running for county commissioner, said the incident escalated when he turned to another Democratic candidate and called Ms. Fulk a derogatory word, the NBC affiliate reported. Mr. Bates said Ms. Fulk kicked him in the groin and hit him with a container of iced tea. He said he ended up on the ground with a scraped elbow that he intends to have a doctor look at Thursday.

Ms. Fulk was released from custody on a written promise to appear in court Dec. 9, the station reported.

• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.

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