& P, u$ E* t0 q' d4 b/ {MONTGOMERY, ALA. — Simmering tensions in the Alabama Senate boiled over Thursday when a Republican lawmaker punched a Democratic colleague in the head before they were pulled apart. 5 V2 i; M3 ?6 f7 _# g& @$ m {# j$ x7 c, n' i8 ]
Republican Sen. Charles Bishop claimed that Democratic Sen. Lowell Barron called him a "son of a (expletive)." 4 S+ ] ^4 a9 Q& D F% M# t' P, l# |; l) q. S1 ^5 E* t# Y
"I responded to his comment with my right hand," Bishop said. Alabama Public Television tape captured the punch.$ @" [0 r/ }; }; d
+ e$ x* A" d- g5 ?Barron did not comment and went into a closed-door meeting with other Democrats. 9 }3 m$ g9 e" J2 w z B9 n. S5 F) M" x- N: p* I4 u+ Q
Sen. Vivian Figures went into the meeting carrying first aid supplies, but said Barron was not hurt.