New Details In Confrontation Between County Commissioner Candidates

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DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - Today there were apologies from both John Wiley Price and Dwaine Caraway after the North Texas politicians got into a heated argument and near-fight during a radio interview on Monday. The incident was caught on video.

The men are candidates on the Democratic primary ticket for Dallas County Commissioners Court Precinct 3.

In cell phone video captured during a candidate forum at the radio station KHVN-AM, Heaven 97, Caraway can be heard yelling at Price.

This all happened just one week before voters go to the polls. Caraway, a former city council member and mayor pro tem, is vying for Price's seat on the Commissioners Court, along with Micah Phillips, who was in the room during the intense altercation. Phillips was the person who recorded video of the incident.

During a morning press conference, Phillips called the drama and language used during the incident inexcusable and said the actions of the men were not reflective of the District 3 community.

But Phillips did claim that Caraway was the aggressor and said he "lost it mentally."

Price wouldn't answer CBSDFW.COM questions when he arrived at the County Administration Building this morning, but did speak hours earlier on the radio station KKDA-FM, K-104.

"I am embarrassed for our community. I apologize to our community," he said. "Other people want to see this stuff stirred, but ya know unfortunately there just seemed to have been a meltdown yesterday and we are all worst for it."

Witnesses said that the near-fight began during a commercial break, after some words were exchanged. Caraway had to be restrained. The two men were separated and police were called to the scene. Law enforcement officials are still investigating the situation.

Caraway explained that a critical piece of the argument was not caught on camera by Phillips. What you do not see, he said, is Price calling Caraway names and allegedly putting his hands around a campaign staffer's neck. Caraway said that he has more video of the incident, which paints a different picture of the events. He plans to release those video clips on Tuesday.

Phillips also said that "Caraway verbally assaulted and made a terroristic threat to a county official." In addition, Phillips said Caraway threatened Price, and that Price had laughed at an insult  about a "sexual relations accusation involving Mr. Caraway's wife and Mr. Price."

Caraway added that his only regret about this situation is to the listeners and the radio station staff members who hosted the forum. "My campaign team, they're the cubs," Caraway said. "And when one is under attack, then Papa Bear is going to stand up."

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• Dallas County