(Source: David Martin for State Senate on Facebook)

Missouri Republican state Senate candidate David Martin is being charged with assault after he allegedly punched county vice chair Teresa McBride in the back after an argument about an overflowing toilet.

The incident reportedly took place at a Father’s Day BBQ being hosted by Martin at the Jackson County Republican Party headquarters in Blue Springs last Saturday. Police responded and issued Martin a citation after he became verbally irate with the officers.

According to the narrative written by Blue Springs Officer Brian Lankard, which was obtained by The Kansas City Star, Martin became angry after one of the guests clogged a toilet in the building, which began to overflow onto a carpet in the meeting hall. McBride then approached Martin and demanded that he pay for the carpet to be professionally cleaned, prompting him to lash out and punch her in the back.

When officers arrived, Martin became angrier and evidently told Lankard that the entire incident was a “ploy to ruin his campaign.”

Martin is one of three Republicans seeking the nomination for the 11th District of Missouri’s state Senate. The primary election will be held on Aug. 6.