A Texas man punched an election worker who told him to remove the Trump hat at the voting location, police say

A Texas man wearing a hat in support of former President Donald Trump punched an election worker who told him that wearing items supporting a candidate is prohibited at voting locations, a sheriff said Friday.

The election worker, identified as a 69-year-old man, was treated at the scene Thursday and returned to his election post at a San Antonio library on Friday, officials said. The suspect was arrested on charges of assaulting an elderly person and could face charges, Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar said.

The alleged attack occurred at the end of the first week of early voting in Texas, where long lines formed outside some polling stations.

Both the sheriff and county elections administrator urged voters to remain calm and patient during the sometimes long wait to vote in what they described as a contentious election.

“Thankfully, there was nothing life-threatening about what happened, but it was still an ugly incident,” Salazar said.

The suspect, identified as Jesse Lutzenberger, remained in jail Friday evening, according to Bexar County records. Jail records did not list an attorney and a phone number for Lutzenberger’s home could not immediately be found Friday.

Texas law prohibits wearing clothing for or against a candidate at a polling place because it is considered electioneering activity. Lutzenberger allegedly entered the polling place wearing a red “MAGA or TRUMP” baseball cap, according to an arrest affidavit.

After being told to remove his hat in the voting area, Lutzenberger did so and voted, Salazar said. He then put the cap back on before leaving, followed by the clerk who again told him to take the hat off while he was in the building.

As the clerk escorted him out of the library, Lutzenberger allegedly threw an elbow or arm at the clerk and then turned to punch him in the face several times, Salazar said.

The clerk was treated at the scene by emergency medical personnel, said Jacque Callanen, Bexar County elections administrator.

Salazar said there have been “several” incidents of voters wearing prohibited clothing or hats at polling stations, only to remove them when the state law was explained to them.

“Nothing here is worth getting hurt or going to jail,” he said.