Eye-catching ad seeks challenger for controversial representative

JEFFERSON, Ga. - A recent advertisement running in The Jackson Herald has lot people talking as it seeks a challenger to unseat Republican State Representative Tommy Benton.

The ad features a picture of a Ku Klux Klan member and asks readers if that is the impression they want others to think of Jackson County.

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The ad then asks anyone interested to consider running against Benton in the next election.

The ad comes in response to recent comments made by Representative Benton, in which he credits the Ku Klux Klan as helping maintain law and order. Benton also sponsored bills that would have made Robert E. Lee's birthday and Confederate Memorial Day legal holidays.

The ad was run by conservative Atlanta talk radio host Michael Graham. Graham is also a contributor to FOX 5 News on our social media platforms and hosts a radio program on our partner radio station NewsRadio 106.7.

Benton has denied his comments were meant to be taken as racist, but Graham said in a situation like this, perception is the problem.

Calls for comment on the ad to Representative Benton's office were passed along to the House Speaker's press representative. So far, no one from the Speaker's press office has returned FOX 5's calls or emails.