MUNCIE, Ind. -- A Republican voter registration deputy faces battery charges after he allegedly struck a 6th District congressional candidate after scuffling with a newspaper reporter.

The Muncie Star-Press reported that GOP registration deputy Will Statom attacked Star-Press reporter Nick Werner as he interviewed a Ball State student about last-minute voter registration for the campaign of Sen. Barack Obama.

Statom was said to be critical of Werner's reporting and pushed him against a wall.

Sixth District candidate Barry Walsh tried to break up the fight and was struck in the eye, according to the newspaper.

Statom was taken into custody.