James Lynch has a scoop tonight: a former field director for Representative Rod Blum’s 2014 campaign plans to run as an independent candidate in Iowa’s first district next year.

Link:

“I’m sick of the Republican hate speech towards homosexuals, anti-immigration and desire to govern women’s uteruses,” [Jack] Melton said.

On economic, foreign policy and military issues he is a “really, really conservative Democrat,” Melton said. […]

His biggest beef with Blum, however, is over statements he claims Blum made about people who serve in the military getting more respect than they deserve.

“When an elected official thinks it’s more honorable to create 325 jobs and be Iowa Entrepreneur of the Year than it is to serve in the military like Mr. Blum expressed to me, well, he doesn’t deserve the privilege to serve our country that is protected by our military men and women,” Melton said.

Melton also told Lynch he’s not running to win. His campaign would be “about beating Rod.”

I’m not clear on why Melton ever wanted to work for Blum, given his position on social issues, but regardless, it never looks good when one of your own staffers turns against you. Independent candidates rarely become a major factor in a Congressional race, but I can’t recall a prior example of a staffer running against his old boss. At this writing, I don’t see any official campaign website, Facebook, or Twitter account for Melton, but I will update the post as needed.

UPDATE: The Iowa Republican reported,

Jack Melton was never a paid staffer for Blum. He volunteered for the campaign, doing some door knocking and working with other volunteers, according to our sources.

Additionally, John D. (Jack) Melton II has a police record and sources close to Rod Blum tell The Iowa Republican that Melton has made threats to Blum’s family, which they are taking very seriously. […]

The apparent anger stems from Melton not being offered a job by Rod Blum on his congressional staff. He now seems to be seeking revenge because of the perceived slight.

TIR did a quick background search and discovered Melton was apparently arrested twice in Florida for writing bad checks for over $150. That information, replete with mug shots, was gleaned from the website Florida.Arrests.org, OpenPasts.com and official Florida court records.

According to the websites, John D. Melton was arrested in December 2007 and again in January 2010 for writing “worthless checks”.