Congressional candidate Daniel Hernandez is facing criticism after allegedly grabbing and throwing a man’s phone twice during a heated confrontation following a Pride event in Bisbee.

"This was an unfortunate incident that occurred during an emotionally charged moment for me and my family," Hernandez, a Democrat, said in a statement to Tucson Spotlight. “Just two days after someone shot through a campaign staffer’s car outside our family home—and only hours after the horrifying murders of lawmakers in Minnesota—a community member initiated an altercation with my sister outside of a political event.

The incident occurred during a candidate forum for Congressional District 7 candidates Saturday, June 14, after an audience member shouted a question about Palestine as Hernández was leaving the stage, Tucsonan Scott Blades posted on Facebook Tuesday morning.

Blades is executive director of the Tucson Interfaith HIV and AIDS Network and a frequent attendee of local political events.

Hernandez's sister, state Rep. Alma Hernandez, yelled at the woman that "questions like that caused someone to shoot at her family," Blades said, referencing a June 13 shooting that occurred outside Daniel Hernandez's home and campaign headquarters. Police have not confirmed that Hernandez was a target of the shooting.

Organizers removed the woman from the venue, and Alma Hernandez followed her outside into the hallway as the shouting continued, Blades wrote.

Blades said he then began recording the interaction.

"I was shocked at the incident and I started trying to record the interaction on my phone," he wrote in the post. "Daniel Hernández ... did not want me to record the incident and grabbed my personal cell phone from my hand and threw it down, telling me I could not record the interaction."

When Blades picked up his phone and resumed recording a short time later, he said Hernandez did it again.

Daniel Hernandez's other sister, state Rep. Consuelo Hernandez, was also present and spoke with the woman after the confrontation.

Blades acknowledged the Hernandez family's fear following the recent shooting outside their home, but said that running for congress requires respecting the public's right to record candidates and their associates at political events.

As of Wednesday morning, Blades' video had been viewed 15,000 times and drawn more than 100 comments, several of which confirmed his account of the events.

Many of the commenters criticized Hernandez's behavior.

"It’s really important to see how our candidates are behaving in and out of public spaces," wrote Tami Staas. "This interaction does not show love, joy or transparency."

Several others called Hernandez's actions unacceptable and questioned whether they amounted to assault.

"Public officials have a responsibility to conduct themselves appropriately in public," wrote retired Tucson Judge Margarita Bernal. "We don’t need this circus."

Others, like Susan Tiss, said Hernandez’s actions reinforced their doubts about his suitability for public office.

"I had already decided to not vote for him and this confirms that decision," Siss wrote.

Hernandez said he regrets how the "moment unfolded."

"My only goal in this moment was to protect my family in a difficult moment, and to ensure everyone’s safety," Hernandez said.

Caitlin Schmidt is Editor and Publisher of Tucson Spotlight. Contact her at caitlin@tucsonspotlight.org.

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