Brad Staats

Who is Brad Staats?

Brad Staats is the unsuccessful 2012 Republican candidate for Tennessee's 5th Congressional District. He ran on a "family matters" platform that stressed traditional values and Second Amendment rights. He drew national attention in Oct-2012 after posting a photo of his handgun to his Facebook page, alongside a message "welcoming" President Barack Obama to Tennessee. He lost to Democratic incumbent Rep. Jim Cooper by a margin of about 85,000 votes, or more than 30 percent of the total vote.

Staats was arrested early on the morning of 25-Nov-2012 on a domestic assault charge after police responded to a call from his wife claiming that he slapped her. He was booked into Davidson County Jail. He posted a $5,000 bond and was later released. His trial date was set for 7-Feb-2013. He reached a plea bargain and plead guilty to disorderly conduct. On 3-Mar-2013, he was arrested again in Panama City, Florida. According the Bay County Sheriff's Office and Clerk of the Court, he was arrested for interfering with an emergency situation and resisting arrest without violence. He was released on his own recognise and a trial scheduled 7-July-2013. On 4-June-2013, the case was dropped against him.