CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (AP) -- An audiotape obtained by the Chattanooga Times Free Press contains new comments from a congressional candidate about a tire-slashing by his son.

Republican Scottie Mayfield said such actions had no place in campaigns when his 33-year-old son, Michael, was charged in April with vandalizing a car driven by aides of Mayfield's opponent, U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann of Tennessee's 3rd District.

The newspaper reported Monday on a June audiotape with Mayfield telling the Nightside Pachyderm Club he was ashamed of his son's actions but not ashamed of why he did it. He explained his son's attack as passion over Fleischmann operatives who had followed his campaign for two days.

The newspaper said Mayfield's campaign didn't respond to requests for comment. Efforts to reach the campaign Monday were unsuccessful.