The contrast between the Democratic Nominee (Cole Ballweg) and the Tea Party Republican who defeated Diane Patrick in the Republican Primary (Tony D. Tinderholt) is distinct. Balleweg has founded and operated a successful business and Tinderholt(R) who defeated Diane Patrick in the Republican Primary for Texas House District 94, is a retired military man who has an incredible depth of experience in both marriage and divorce.
Mr. Tinderholt probably holds the record this year for the “Family Values” candidate who has divorced (or been divorced by) most wives! In a society where divorce is common, Mr. Tinderholt has carried it far beyond the norm. For a candidate who much of his campaign message is been based upon family values, and whose pro-life ideologue and membership in the Catholic Church and St. Vincent de Paul Society is highlighted on his website and in his campaign literature, the number of marriage and divorces seems excessive.
It is obvious that he must believe in Marriage because his marriage and divorce record shows lots of activity. Tinderholt has been married at least five times to four different women and divorced at least four times. These marriages are from Texas Marriage and Divorce Records. He’s lived in other states and this is just his marriage record in Texas! There may be others in other states. He married and divorced one woman twice. He’s been married at least five times and his current wife is at least his fourth wife!
M1. Tony D. Tinderholt Married date? To Tammy J. Tinderholt
D1. Tony D. Tinderholt Divorced 12-Dec-97 in Tom Green County, TX from Tammy J. Tinderholt
M2. Tony D. Tinderholt Married date ? to Kimberly A. TInderholt
D2. Tony D. Tinderholt Divorced 5-Aug-95 in Tom Green County, TX from Kimberly A. Tinderholt
M3. Tony D. Tinderholt Married date? to Kimberly A. Tinderholt
D3. Tony D. Tinderholt Divorced 2-Aug-96 in Tom Green County, TX from Kimberly A. Tinderholt
M4.to Wife 3. Tony D. Tinderholt Marriage 1/11/2002 to Tamara Dawn Levan
D4 from Wife 3. Tony D. Tinderholt Divorced 19-Apr-07 in Tarrant County, TX from Tamara D. Tinderholt
M5 to Wife 4.Tony D. Tinderholt Marriage 5/28/2009 to Bethany Ann Tyler
Even though voters are frequently disappointed in the character of those they elect to public office after they serve for a term or more, it seems that Mr. Tinderholt’s inability to maintain a stable marriage relationship with four different ex-wives makes one wonder if he has the capacity to be sensitive and respectful of those issues which impact women, especially women who are the major caretaker and breadwinner in the household.
Even though he won the Primary, the tone of Tinderholt's campaign against Representative Patrick seemed strident to some and at times seemed to be unnecessarily disrespectful of Representative Patrick. With women being over half of the electorate, it is quite possible that some of the tactics which led to his success in the Primary may lead to his defeat in the General Election.