Retired Colonel Michael Bob Starr, a candidate for Congressional District 19, held a press conference Monday morning to condemn “false and malicious attacks” against his campaign.

He said someone was “planting false and malicious stories in the press and anonymous attack letters left on cars at campaign events.”

Photos of Starr participating in LGBT events as Commander of Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene were published by a conservative media site.

Another candidate, Jason Corley, asked during a candidate forum on Friday “Why are we having events that promote LGBT lifestyle at Dyess Air Force Base?”

He said Starr did not answer that question, which was obviously pointed at the Colonel. Corley explained he was not responsible for “letters on windows,” but that another candidate had approached him and asked him if he was the culprit.

“I don’t have the money to run a malicious smear campaign,” said Corley.

“Whoever is doing this, is working very hard to keep their fingerprints off of what is happening, and is doing everything they can to avoid confronting me face to face. In West Texas that’s called cowardice. I’m here to confront these cowards head on,” Starr said.

Starr confirmed Monday morning during the press conference that he was not a believer in same-sex marriage, but because of the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, he was required to follow the law.

“He’s required to protect LGBT members, but he’s not required to promote” LGBT lifestyles, Corley said. “He’s talking out of both sides of his mouth. He’s saying one thing, and doing another.”

Starr said he did not know who was responsible for the attacks on his campaign, but said whoever was responsible was a coward.

“That to me is disgusting. It only highlights why I’m asking the voters of West Texas to vote for a conservative patriot, not a politician, not a coward, to represent them in Congress,” Starr said.

Greg Garrett, another candidate, issued a statement in response to Starr’s comments.

“I am disappointed that any Republican candidate would have engaged in and supported activities that are so diametrically opposed to both Biblical and Republican principals,” Garrett said.  “And now we see he is trying to backtrack, to cover it up and to justify it. A double-minded man is unstable in all of his ways, and we don’t need more of this unstable mindset in Washington. What this country needs, and what the 19th Congressional District has an opportunity to provide, is a representative that stands firmly on his beliefs regardless of the winds of politically correct dogma. I believe that I am that candidate.”

Dr. Donald May, also running for the District 19 seat, said he was unaware of and foul play, but he did receive an envelope on Thursday which appeared to be candidate information on his car while it was parked in Snyder.

“The purpose of our military is to protect us against our foreign enemies.  This includes building and maintaining a military that is so powerful, so capable, and so overwhelming in its abilities that Islamic Terrorists and other enemies will not dare to challenge us,” May said. “Our military should not be distracted and weakened by politicians seeking to gain recognition and political power by incorporating social experimentation and the promotion of social agendas into the operation of our military.  Our military must not be used as a platform from which to promote sexual and other social agendas in order to make these agendas appear to be more publicly acceptable.”

“The stability of our nation and its military forces are based on traditional family structure.  Our politicians and our military leaders should not condone nor should they participate in or promote activities directed at weakening or destroying the traditional family,” May added.

Candidate Dr. John Key said he did not know who was responsible for sharing the “false and malicious” information.

“I have no idea who’s behind it,” Key said. “I am here to represent myself. I am a trusted, truthful, established member of the community.”

DeRenda Warren’s campaign issues a statement Tuesday morning.

“I am in favor of traditional, Biblical marriage. As I’ve said repeatedly on the campaign trail, I would like the voters of the 19th District to look very closely at who they can trust to represent West Texas morals and values in Washington,” Warren said through a spokesperson.

Messages to candidates Glen Robertson and Jodey Arrington were not returned as of Tuesday morning.