An Atlantic, Iowa city councilman suffered a lacerated kidney and cuts and bruises after being attacked in a bar Friday night.

Kern Miller was taken to the Nebraska Medical Center after being assaulted at the Elbow Room bar. Witnesses say 49-year-old Ryan Dean Johnson of Atlantic knocked Miller off a bar stool and kicked him in the side and choked him until he was restrained by patrons.

Miller said Saturday he has no idea why Johnson attacked him, telling KJAN-AM in Atlantic that he and Johnson talked about football before Johnson left the bar. Johnson returned and went after Miller.

Miller said Johnson told him the assault was because of what he'd said about his niece, whom Miller defeated in a council race two years ago.

Johnson was arrested outside another bar shortly after the attack. He's been charged with aggravated assault and is free on $2,000 bond.