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In a surprising turn of events, documents reveal a past altercation involving Nebraska State Sen. Tony Vargas, a Democratic candidate aiming to challenge Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., and a taxi driver over a fare dispute. This incident, which occurred on the evening of May 10, 2013, escalated to the point where both parties ended up at a police station filing reports against each other. Vargas’ campaign has firmly denied any wrongdoing on his part.
The confrontation began when Vargas, transitioning from his role as a public school teacher to a political figure, and the taxi driver disagreed over the payment. According to the driver’s account, Vargas moved aggressively from the back to the front seat, inadvertently striking the driver with his leg and grabbing his shirt collar, potentially damaging the driver’s laptop. However, the police report noted no injuries to the driver or damage to his laptop.
Vargas’ version of events paints a different picture, stating he repeatedly requested the driver to stop, only for the driver to continue to the police station. When the vehicle finally halted, the abrupt departure caused Vargas to fall and injure his head, leading to a headache for which the police advised seeking medical attention.
This incident has sparked comments from both sides of the political aisle. Delanie Bomar, a spokeswoman for the National Republican Congressional Committee, criticized Vargas’ behavior, suggesting it indicates a temperament unfit for Congress. Conversely, Daniel Gutman, representing Vargas’ campaign, defended the senator, highlighting the police report which found no evidence of injury or damage, portraying Vargas as the victim in this scenario.
As the race for Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional district heats up, this incident adds an intriguing layer to the political landscape, with both candidates under scrutiny. The Omaha Police Department has yet to comment further on the matter.