A county Republican Committee meeting in Benton, Arkansas, took a violent turn on Thursday evening after a dispute involving a derogatory comment about a woman’s nose ring escalated into a physical altercation.

The incident occurred during a gathering of the Saline County Republican Committee, where committee member Jonathan Newcomb was punched in the face by 62-year-old Jimmie Cavin.

The confrontation reportedly began when Newcomb made a derogatory remark about a woman’s nose ring, prompting Cavin to intervene.

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Cavin, a local resident known for his interest in weightlifting, later claimed he was acting in self-defense when he punched Newcomb.

According to FOX26, Cavin confronted Newcomb verbally after witnessing what he believed to be intimidation toward the woman.

“I was standing at the back of the room and when I saw what [Newcomb] was doing, I … told [Newcomb] to not look at her but to look at me and to leave her alone,” Cavin explained in a Facebook post the following day. “I was hoping that would defuse the situation.”

However, the situation quickly escalated. According to both Cavin and footage captured by Kenny Wallis of JustTheRightAngle on Rumble, Newcomb responded aggressively.

He allegedly walked toward Cavin and asked, “What are you gonna do, boy?” As Newcomb continued to approach, Cavin said he assumed a defensive stance, warning him to back off.

Despite this, Newcomb reportedly kept advancing, leading Cavin to strike him in the face.

The video of the altercation shows Newcomb, dressed in blue overalls, aggressively approaching Cavin, who was wearing a pink t-shirt. After Cavin struck Newcomb, the larger man fell to the ground as others at the meeting rushed in to break up the fight.

Cavin later explained on Facebook that he felt he had no other option but to defend himself, stating, “I could not hold him back, and when he was upon me, I knew I had no choice but to defend myself in the hopes of not getting hurt or worse.”

Cavin expressed pride in his actions, writing, “I make zero apologies for my actions last night and in fact feel pride this morning for standing up to a massive bully.” He added that he doesn’t advocate for violence but felt that it was necessary in this instance to protect himself and others. “To be clear, I do not advocate violence. However, I believe that violence is a last resort in the defense of myself and others as is our right under Arkansas law,” he wrote.

The woman involved in the incident, who was the target of Newcomb’s derogatory comment, later thanked Cavin for standing up for her. In a post responding to Cavin’s Facebook statement, she wrote, “I am so thankful for you! You are a true patriot hero!”

No charges have been filed in connection with the altercation, and it is unclear if any further action will be taken. Newcomb, the Saline County Republican Committee member involved in the incident, has not publicly commented on the matter.

This incident highlights tensions within local political circles and raises questions about civility at political events.

While no further details have been released, the video of the confrontation has garnered attention, sparking discussions about the conduct of individuals at public meetings and the role of self-defense in such situations.

Local authorities have not indicated any ongoing investigation, and both participants remain active in their respective roles.

The Saline County Republican Committee has yet to release an official statement regarding the altercation.

You can watch the entire meeting below (altercation start at about an hour and 15 minutes in):

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