State House Republican candidate Rick Womick may not live in the district he seeks to represent, according to the Tennessee Democratic Party.
Kim Hayden, TDP coordinated campaign director, alleged Thursday that Womick actually lives in Rockvale, which is in the 34th District. Republican Donna Rowland represents the 34th District and Womick is running against Rep. Kent Coleman (D-Dist. 49).
“Rick Womick, a candidate in House District 49, appears to have violated state law by registering to vote in the district he seeks to represent but does not live,” the Democrats said in a press release. “He lives in the 34th House District, and videotaped evidence supports this possible violation.”
In response to the allegation, Womick said, “It’s not true.
“I have a home in Murfreesboro and a farm out in Rockvale,” Womick said, adding the allegation reeks of desperation from the Democrats. “This is Mr. Coleman. He’s running behind in this polls now and won’t run on his record.”
State law requires officials elected to the General Assembly to live in the county they represent for one year, in the state for three years and be a qualified voter in the district they represent.
Womick has lived on a farm in Rockvale for several years and recently bought a house on Sulphur Springs Road, which is in the 49th District. He is registered to vote at the house on Sulphur Springs Road, Rutherford County Election Commission confirmed.
“I own it. I lived in it. I live in the district,” Womick said.
Womick admits he temporarily rented an apartment on North Tennessee Boulevard before to the primary for the purpose of running for office in the 49th District, but has since bought a home on Sulphur Springs Road where he lives with his son.
“I invited Dennis (Ferrier) Channel 4 out to my house. He was out here today. …” Womick said. “I very well could have rented an apartment for the whole time.”
But he bought a foreclosed house, which he lives in two-thirds of the time with his son. The rest of the time, when he’s not traveling as a pilot, he spends in Rockvale.
Womick’s wife and daughters are currently living in Rockvale as the home on Sulphur Springs is remodeled after a water tank burst in the kitchen, he said.
“My wife said, ‘I can’t live here without a kitchen.’ But I can …” Womick said. “I eat at Hardee’s a lot.”
He said if he wins the election he will sell his house in Rockvale and move the rest of his family into the Sulphur Springs house.
Michelle Willard can be contacted at 615-869-0816 or mwillard@murfreesboropost.com.
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