Church rallies behind Carson in face of "attack ads"

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Some ministers are challenging television ads that criticize Democratic Senate candidate Brad Carson's stand on gay issues. <br/><br/>The ministers addressed a series of ads being

Thursday, October 28th 2004, 7:01 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Some ministers are challenging television ads that criticize Democratic Senate candidate Brad Carson's stand on gay issues.

The ministers addressed a series of ads being run by third-party organizations. Carson says they're funded by more than $1-million in contributions from two Oklahoma City oil company executives.

The Reverend Richard H. Lowery, a Disciples of Christ minister in Bartlesville, says the attack misrepresents Brad Carson's record, if not his faith.

Jack Ballard, a Baptist minister from Ada, says he believes the ads are false and should be taken off the air.

Wednesday, Governor Brad Henry released a statement saying Carson has been a consistent defender of traditional marriage, recently voting for a federal amendment to ban gay marriage.