Daniel wins 18th District House seat

Two weeks after a now infamous shoving incident, incumbent state Rep. Martin Daniel of Knoxville defeated three GOP challengers to move on to the November general election.

In unofficial but complete returns, the 18th District House member garnered 35 percent of votes cast.

Steve Hall, who Daniel beat in 2014 to claim the seat, got about 25.5 percent of votes cast, James Corcoran got 25.3 percent and Bryan Dodson got 7.5 percent, returns show.

Martin Daniel, Bryan Dodson, Steve Hall, and James Corcoran

Daniel will face Democrat Brandi Price in the general election.

"I’m really gratified that the voters have approved what we have done over the past two years and weren’t distracted by all the things that didn’t matter,” Daniel told 10News.

"That all had little to do with my representation of the 18th District. The voters saw through all the obstruction, the fog and the distractions. I’m really happy about this.”

Daniel spoke from home. He did not join Republicans on Thursday night at party celebrations at the Crowne Plaza.

Daniel said he will spend the next few months preparing for the general election.

Rest of story right HERE.

State Rep. Daniel shoves opponent on radio program, says 'lost my cool'

Daniel, left, Hall, right

A political forum on live Knoxville radio involving the four men running for a state House seat erupted into a physical confrontation Thursday evening when state Rep. Martin Daniel confronted former Rep. Steve Hall and pushed him, witnesses said.

Daniel later acknowledged Thursday he'd "lost my cool" in the moment.

Daniel and Hall, vying in the Republican primary for the 18th state House seat now occupied by Daniel, exchanged words on NewsTalk 98.7 shortly after 6 p.m. Thursday.

When Daniel said at the start of the show that he was the only businessman among the four candidates, Hall exclaimed that Daniel was a liar, noting he had been in business himself.

Hall repeated the accusation, the station's recording shows.

"Don't be calling me a liar, Mr. Hall. I'm telling you. Don't be calling me a liar," said Daniel, who also is a lawyer.

According to host Hallerin Hilton Hill, Daniel then went over to where Hall, a former city councilman as well as legislator, was sitting in the station studio.

When Hall stood up, Daniel then shoved him, Hill told listeners.

Read the entire story, which includes more statements from the candidates, RIGHT HERE.