Dothan, Alabama City Commissioner Amos Newsome really didn’t want to be asked whether or not he’s going to resign. But his reaction certainly is a curious way to stay in office.

Local news station WTVY has been dogged in its coverage of the commissioner amid allegations his campaign engaged in voter fraud during his quest for re-election in 2013.

So dogged, Newsome slapped reporter Ken Curtis twice while the commissioner was walking from city hall to his vehicle Tuesday.

Shaky video captured on a cell phone by another reporter shows Newsome lunging at the reporter and striking him twice in the face, causing him to bleed.

“Newsome was arrested Tuesday afternoon and charged with third-degree assault,” the Dothan Eagle reports. His bond was set at $500.

WTVY Vice President and General Manager Spencer Bienvenu released the following statement on the station’s website:

WTVY is extremely disappointed and horrified by the actions of Dothan City Commissioner Amos Newsome for his unwarranted physical attack on one of our employees. We understand that holding political office can be stressful, but that never warrants unwanted physical contact, let alone an open, public assault. Our employee was attacked in the course of doing their job, which they are entitled to do without the fear of physical violence.

Freedom of the press is a guaranteed right, one that should allow us to do our jobs in a safe, non-threatening environment. WTVY intends to press charges against Commissioner Newsome, to ensure that no one else will be attacked in the course of doing their job. We’re grateful for the relationship that we continue to have with the Dothan City Commission and our elected officials.

Today was not the first time Curtis has confronted Newsome.

Video posted to YouTube in mid-September shows the reporter meeting the commissioner at the bottom of the steps to city hall and following him to his car, with camera in hand.

Newsome didn’t have much to say, but he kept his hands to himself that time.

“I’m just sorry Mr. Newsome felt it was necessary to do that,” Curtis said after the incident. “I’m sure it has been a very stressful time for him. But, this is not about me. This is about freedom of the press. This is for the right we have to ask questions that the public has a right to know about.”