PRESSURE INCREASING ON WA GOP TO OUST MATT SHEA
Seattle Times Ed Board: Rep. Matt Shea doesn’t deserve a place in the Republican Party
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | April 23, 2019
SEATTLE, WA: Washington State’s Republicans are under increasing pressure to do something about State Representative Matt Shea, who has a well-documented record of rhetoric and actions supporting racist and militant hate groups.
Now the Seattle Times editorial board, which often endorses Republicans, is issuing a scathing rebuke of WA State GOP leaders, including House Minority Leader J.T. Wilcox.
“Washington Republicans should reflect on the old saying that a person is known by the company he keeps. State Rep. Matt Shea has kept some very bad company. If the House GOP caucus doesn’t disavow him, it becomes party to the reprehensible views Shea and his friends espouse.”
The Seattle Times joins a growing list of leaders in Washington State calling for Shea’s ouster including Tina Podlodowski, Chair of the WA State Democrats, Lt. Governor Cyrus Habib, Governor Jay Inslee, WA House Democrats, Spokane Democrats, and U.S. Senator Patty Murray.
Removing Shea from caucus policy discussions would not be a first for the Republicans, which kicked Pam Roach out of the Republican Senate caucus for “mistreating staff.” Asked Podlodowski:
“How does Pam Roach’s history of personal ‘hostility and anger’ get her kicked out of the caucus, but Matt Shea’s years of support for white nationalist extremists and recent participation in planning surveillance and violence against peaceful protesters get a pass?”
The WA Republican Party and the Republican House Caucus must expel Rep. Matt Shea or invite greater extremism into their party, said Podlodowski in an open letter on Monday. She also issued a video message to the WA GOP, saying:
“If you don’t draw the line now, when one of your own has spent years feeding the fire of hate and violence, if you don’t do something now, what will be left of the Republican party of Dan Evans and John Spellman? It will be in cinders.”
HD Video: https://www.dropbox.com/s/9u7e4uj0cjm7ymy/WSDCC%20Matt%20Shea.MOV?dl=0
Full letter at: https://www.dropbox.com/s/ogx26g137fkfdih/Dear%20WA%20GOP%20and%20Caucus.pdf?dl=0
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