08/29/2008

Associated Press

Republican congressional candidate and Asheville city council member Carl Mumpower fired his son from his volunteer campaign staff after the 24-year-old was arrested for fighting.

Carl Mumpower said Friday he told his son, Matt Mumpower, that he could no longer work for his campaign after Asheville police arrested him for punching a man in an Asheville restaurant.

The GOP candidate said Matt punched the Wild Wings Cafe patron after the customer grabbed Matt in a "sexually suggestive way."

Carl Mumpower, who is running against freshman Democrat Heath Shuler, said he made the decision because he holds people on his campaign accountable.

Matt Mumpower did not immediately return a call seeking comment Friday.