A Republican candidate from Hawkins County has been accused by a member of his party of having an extramarital affair with her. Republicans have expressed confidence that Church Hill attorney Mike Faulk could oust Sen. Mike Williams, now an independent after leaving the GOP last year. A victory by Faulk in state Senate District 4 would help Republicans break a 16-16 tie with Democrats in the upper chamber. But his campaign is facing unexpected trouble because the married chairwoman of the Hawkins County Young Republicans has written a letter discouraging other Republicans from supporting Faulk because he allegedly had an affair with her during the race. The Associated Press obtained and verified an e-mail containing the letter. Faulk said in a statement about the matter that his campaign will continue but he didn’t directly address the allegation by Kelli Walker. He said he wishes her well.