Boone County Democrats to make statement against violence, stand by Raithel following fight at Anchor Fest

EDITOR'S NOTE: This story has been corrected to say the statement will condemn violence,

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Boone County Democrats will make a statement condemning violence following a local candidate's involvement in a fight in Centralia, the group decided at a Thursday meeting.

Dave Raithel, a candidate for the 44th House District, wrote on his campaign's Facebook page on and told ABC 17 News on Thursday that the Boone County Democratic Central Committee was considering expelling him from the party. This comes after Raithel's involvement in a fight at a local festival.

The county Democratic party will still stand by Raithel, despite his involvement in the fight, the party decided on Thursday.

Raithel confirmed the fight happened while he was waiting in line at a food truck during Anchor Fest. The tussle took place on the final day of Centralia's annual festival, June 2.

Raithel said he acted in self-defense after being accosted but declined to elaborate on the record, citing the ongoing legal case. Raithel was issued a summons at the scene and released, and has a court date set for next month.

The Centralia Police Department chief is on vacation, said an employee at city hall. ABC 17 News left a message with the city prosecutor and submitted a sunshine request for records related to Raithel's arrest.

Raithel said he wrote a letter to the party committee explaining the incident. That's when Stephen Webber, the Democratic candidate for the 19th Senate District and former state House member, stepped in, Raithel says.

Raithel claimed Webber pushed the central committee to kick him out after the fight. However, Raithel said he still enjoys plenty of support among committee members and 44th District residents.

Raithel has been known to use harsh words when talking about his political opponents and their ideas, especially outgoing Republican Rep. Cheri Reisch. The 44th is a tough district for Democrats because of its number of Republican voters, Raithel says.

He said he will not give up his campaign, even without party support.

Boone County Republicans issued a press release on Thursday morning that criticized Raithel and the Democratic Party.

"The people of Missouri deserve representatives who respect the law and maintain a level of decorum befitting the office," Hannah Beers-Sutton, executive director of the Missouri House Republican Campaign Committee, was quoted in the release. "Dave Raithel's arrest and subsequent vulgar outburst are proof that he does not meet these standards. Voters in District 44 should be aware of his behavior and what it signifies about the Democrat Party's true nature."

Raithel is the lone Democrat in the 44th District race. Two Republicans will face off in the primary on Aug. 6: John Martin and Bryce Beal.

Check back for updates.