DELAWARE - In a debate on Wednesday night between Delaware Senator Tom Carper and his Republican Challenger Rob Arlett, a past domestic violence incident between Carper and his ex-wife resurfaced.
"You had abused your former wife and it was a lie for 19 years about that. It was a big cover up, it was a big collusion," Arlett said at the debate.
"That is baloney. Let's set the record straight, okay my friend? Every one of us makes mistakes, God knows I've made my fair share of mistakes. And 40 years ago I made a mistake. I owned it. I didn't hide it. It was public knowledge," Carper responded.
Arlett told WBOC on Thursday he thought it was relevant information for voters to be aware of.
"That's why people are tired of Washington D.C. and all of the politicians because they are above the law and I think that he too should be held accountable," Arlett said.
WBOC did reach out to Senator Carper on Thursday for a response to Arlett's claims. We were told Carper was not available.
During the debate, Carper responded to Arlett with this response. Carper saying he does not think revisiting this incident will have an effect on voters.
"It doesn't work. It didn't work 6, it didn't work 30 years ago. It didn't work 20 years ago. It didn't work 10 years ago. You know what? It's not going to work this time either. The reason why is because voters have actually voted on this, they've considered it and they say, we're not going there. And I think before this year is over they'll say we're not going there again," Carper said.
Carper and Arlett are set to debate once more next Wednesday at a forum at Delaware State University in Dover.
