MINNEAPOLIS – The Minnesota Republican Party’s (MNGOP) newly elected Chairwoman Jennifer Carnahan had an interesting first day on the job, quickly removing a party official for an Islamophobic Facebook post.
An unnamed party official shared an image of Rep. Keith Ellison on a turkey hunt. The post criticized Ellison, and 7th congressional district Rep. Colin Peterson for associating with Ellison. Text imposed over the turkey hunt image was what drew Carnahan’s quick response
“Collin Peterson has been sliding up to Minnesota’s Head Muslim Goat Humper, Keith Ellison. Heck, They’re now Hunting Buddies,” reads the post, “Does that mean Muslim Refugees coming to Western Minnesota?”
The post has since been taken down from CD7’s Facebook page, but screenshots are still circulating.
“The hate speech from the 7th CD GOP does not reflect our party or the 7th CD. As chair, I will not tolerate this activity in our party,” Carnahan tweeted Monday night.
The hate speech from the 7th CD GOP does not reflect our party or the 7th CD. As chair, I will not tolerate this activity in our party.
— jennifer carnahan (@jkcarnah) May 2, 2017
Carnahan went on to demand the immediate resignation of the party official responsible. While that person remains unnamed, Carnahan reported the official had complied with her ultimatum and no longer held a party position.
I have demanded the immediate resignation of the individual responsible for this. As chair, I have a zero tolerance policy for hate speech.
— jennifer carnahan (@jkcarnah) May 2, 2017
The 7th CD has received the immediate resignation of the individual responsible This person no longer represents our party.
— jennifer carnahan (@jkcarnah) May 2, 2017
DFL Chair Ken Martin labeled the post the “true colors” of the Republican Party on his own Twitter, linking to a press release from the DFL.
“Just days after the newly-elected GOP Chairwoman Jennifer Carnahan proclaimed that people are ‘going to have a really hard time calling us the party of racists and sexists,’ an official Minnesota Republican Party Facebook page featured a racist, hate-filled post about Congressman Keith Ellison (D-Minnesota), referring to Muslims as ‘Goat Humpers,’” wrote Martin in the release, “Chairwoman Carnahan should be ashamed and owes an apology to Congressman Ellison and all Minnesotans.”
Days after @jkcarnah proclaims @MNGOP is not racist, GOP party leaders show true colors w/ racist post READ: https://t.co/PZMeQjyU5H #mndfl pic.twitter.com/SRmGiFdot3
— Ken Martin (@kenmartin73) May 2, 2017
Martin’s release came 40 minutes after Carnahan condemned the Facebook post, and 20 minutes after she publicly demanded the poster’s resignation from the MNGOP.
On Tuesday MNGOP put out a short press release reiterating much of what Carnahan said Monday on her personal social media accounts.
