The Minnesota Republican Party is calling on DFL congressional candidate Quinn Nystrom to apologize for seemingly mocking U.S. Rep. Pete Stauber’s use of a hearing aid.
Nystrom is the DFL-endorsed candidate challenging Stauber in Minnesota’s Eighth Congressional District, which Republicans flipped in 2018 after the retirement of former U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan.
The DFL candidate doesn’t think Stauber is listening to his constituents, so on Tuesday she tweeted a GIF of him adjusting his hearing aid.
“Minnesotans: We’re choosing between medications and groceries. We’re going bankrupt trying to afford health care. Please vote to lower the costs of life-saving prescriptions,” said Nystrom, followed by the clip of Stauber.
Minnesotans: We're choosing between medications and groceries. We're going bankrupt trying to afford healthcare. Please vote to lower the costs of life-saving prescriptions!@PeteStauber: pic.twitter.com/w2A1EIxcAJ
— Quinn Nystrom (@QuinnNystrom) September 29, 2020
The GIF was taken from a Monday online debate between the two candidates. Republican Party Chairwoman Jennifer Carnahan said Nystrom “crossed a major line” with the jab.
“Ms. Nystrom needs to apologize immediately for her behavior,” said Carnahan. “Congressman Stauber’s hearing loss came as a result of serving the people of Minnesota for 23 years as a police officer. Nystrom showed her appreciation for that service by belittling him on social media for adjusting his hearing aid during a debate on Monday.”
Since Nystrom has “zero chance of winning” the race, she has “resorted to shameful bullying,” said Carnahan.
“To mock someone for a disability is out of bounds in Minnesota politics and she should be ashamed of her actions.”
Anthony Gockowski
Anthony Gockowski is Editor-in-Chief of Alpha News. He previously worked as an editor for The Minnesota Sun and Campus Reform, and wrote for the Daily Caller.
