KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — A negative ad campaign isn’t playing out for a national or even state race, but instead, in North Knoxville’s fourth district, as voters are casting early ballots for city council candidates.
Words like “drifter” and “extremist,” and a reference to bankruptcy are printed on a flyer ending up in City Council candidate Matthew DeBardelaben’s neighborhood —attacking his character.
“It was a kick in the gut,” DeBardelaben said. “To see someone I don’t even know make some comments, pick things out of my past, and tell half-truths, things that I’m actually proud of.”…