Republican mulls primary challenge to Rep. DesJarlais

Tennessee state Rep. Kevin Brooks (R) is publicly mulling a primary challenge to embattled Rep. Scott DesJarlais (R-Tenn.).

"I have received a number of calls of support and had many conversations encouraging me to run for Congress in the 4th congressional district.  While I am firmly committed to serving my constituents in the 24th district, I wanted to publicly say that I am exploring what a solutions-based campaign for Congress would look like and how I can best serve the great state of Tennessee," Brooks said in a statement. "Given that, I plan to spend the next few weeks praying about the path forward with my family and talking with friends, neighbors and fellow Tennesseans about the future."

DesJarlais, a socially conservative congressman and doctor, has been beset by allegations that he had multiple affairs, supported his ex-wife's decision to have two abortions and prescribed drugs to one of the women he was having an affair with. He's said he won't resign.

The district is heavily Republican — DesJarlais won reelection by a double-digit margin despite some of the allegations coming out before the election — and he's much more vulnerable to a primary than general election challenge.