After Sen. Bill Nelson’s campaign (D-FL) highlighted, in a new TV ad launched Thursday, Rep. Connie Mack’s (R-FL) “history of bar-room brawling, altercations and road rage,” the National Republican Senatorial Committee came to Mack’s defense by pointing out that Nelson’s son also has a rap sheet.

“It is disappointing that 40-year politician Bill Nelson would use an event that took place in his opponent’s personal life 20 years ago to distract from his own abysmal record,” said NRSC Executive Director Rob Jesmer of the spot. “Such an attack is particularly surprising, considering that Nelson’s own son was recently arrested for both disorderly intoxication and assaulting a police officer.”

Six years ago, Charles William Nelson, the Democratic senator’s son, was arrested the night of his father’s election to a second-term over Republican Katherine Harris.  Nelson’s son was charged with disorderly intoxication, resisting arrest, and battery on a law-enforcement officer following reports of a street fight.

 “All his life, Connie Mack IV has made excuses for his behavior and tried to blame others. It’s time he took responsibility for himself. Bill Nelson’s son isn’t running for the Senate. Connie Mack IV is,” Nelson’s campaign manager Pete Mitchell said today. “After hiding behind nearly $10 million in negative attacks against Bill Nelson, Mack’s long history of irresponsible behavior and his record in office is now in the spotlight. And it isn’t a pretty picture”.

Nelson’s re-election team on Thursday unveiled a TV ad calling Mack to task for having “questionable work habits.”

“Florida, meet Connie Mack the Fourth,” the narrator says in the 30-second spot. “A promoter for Hooters … with a history of bar room brawling, altercations and road rage … a trail of debts, liens and unpaid bills. He has one of the worst attendance records in Congress this year … but voted to end Medicare as we know it.”

Mack campaign manager Jeff Cohen issued his own rebuttle to Nelson’s spot, calling it ”a series of personal attacks most of which are false, and a few that are just ridiculous.”

“Bill Nelson’s campaign is pathetic and all the mudslinging in the world won’t hide his record,” added Cohen.

Tags | Bill Nelson, Charles William Nelson, Connie Mack, disorderly intoxication, Jeff Cohen, Katherine Harris, National Republican Senatorial Committee, Pete Mitchell, Rob Jesmer