Restraining order filed against state Senate hopeful

MIDDLESEX A state Senate candidate says a restraining order his estranged wife filed against him means he s just another unjustly accused male victim of the MeToo movement. Retired Air Force Col. Dennis Nielsen is running in the Republican primary for N.C. Senate District 11, which includes all of Nash County and a portion of Johnston County. Dennis Nielsen s wife Karen Nielsen filed a domestic violence protective order this week. The court order bars Dennis Nielsen from going to his home or anywhere near his wife. Dennis Nielsen is accused of abuse, harassment and inflicting financial servitude, according to statements made by his wife in her complaint. Johnston County Deputy Clerk of Court Sherry Augustine signed the ex parte restraining order on Monday. The order is temporary. A judge will decide whether to extend it at an upcoming hearing. Dennis Nielsen provided the court documents to the newspaper, saying the paperwork is proof any woman can say whatever she wants and officialscally believe her. I know this is not going to help me, but people need to know what can happen, Dennis Nielsen said. Gaining momentum in recent years, MeToo involves women taking a stand against harassment and violence by Hollywood moguls, politicians and corporate leaders. A backlash has taken shape in which men accused of such actions claim they re victims of false or trumped-up charges. Dennis Nielsen compared himself to U.S. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, who faced groping accusations during his 2018 confirmation hearings. He s notorious for taking things out of context, Karen Nielsen said of her husband. She said he turned the paperwork over to the newspaper just to embarrass her as he once promised. THE RELATIONSHIP The couple married in June 2018 after knowing each other for three years. They met when she was in his gun store shopping for a firearm. Dennis Nielsen is 71. Karen Nielsen is 50, according to court records. Some of these more money, Dennis Nielsen said. Karen Nielsen said that was a joke because her husband doesn t have any real money. Staying with friends, Dennis Nielsen said he hasn t been home since being served wit