Lawmaker Challenged by Hubby She Says is Violent

An eastern Missouri lawmaker is facing an election challenge from her own husband, whom she accuses of physical violence. He denies the allegations. Democratic Rep. Linda Fischer obtained a protection order against John Fischer last week. Three days later, he filed as a Republican candidate for his wife's state House seat, becoming her only challenger in the November election a day before the filing deadline passed.

Linda Fischer, 39, filed court documents Friday accusing her husband of grabbing her arms and waist to try to wrestle away her cell phone and of sending her harassing text messages. She said she was so afraid that she has been sleeping in her daughter's room with the door locked. John Fischer, who took early retirement from a Chrysler plant in May, says he's running to stand up for people who've lost their jobs. "I don't think they're being represented fairly in this state because they do not take care of the working man." For more from the AP on their dispute, click here. (More Missouri stories.)