Woman: Campaign Letter Prompts Attack

TEMPLE, Ga. (MyFOX ATLANTA - A heated city council race in the city of Temple has led to charges of racism and hateful language. The wife of one of the candidates said Wednesday that those charges of racism are what caused her to be attacked on a city street.

Linda Walden said she was beaten because of an inflammatory letter that alleges that she and her husband called a city council member a racial slur. The city's police chief called the whole matter an embarrassment.

Walden left the emergency room Wednesday after an alleged attack and beating. Walden said the attack all stemmed from her husband's race for Temple city council.

"My worry now is if anybody has a Walden sign on their door is this what they do to you?" said Walden.

Walden said chain of events leading to her alleged attack started with a letter city councilman William Simmons has been handing out. The letter said Walden called him a racial slur.

"I had the first amending right to get out and campaign like anyone else so that's why I've been distributing [the letter]," said Simmons.

Walton said she was walking through neighborhood passing out campaign fliers when she said a stranger attacked her.

"I was on my knees picking up the brochures and he was just there it was over with in seconds," recalled Walden.

Walden said she didn't know who the man was, but she said he made reference to Councilman Simmons' letter.

"He said he'd show me what an N word was," said Walden.

"I don't think a small town election should ever escalate to something like this," said Temple Police Chief Ed Whitt.

The chief said the assault is under investigation, but he had strong words for both sides about the way the campaign has been handled.

"This is my 20th year in law enforcement. I've never seen anything like this in my life. It is a black eye to the city of Temple," said Chief Whitt.