Florida Republican: ‘We should hang’ treasonous Democrats

Local and national GOP leers distanced mselves Wednesday from a Florida congressional candidate who sent a fundraising letter stating that “anti-American rical Democrats” should be hung for treason. George Buck, one of six Republican primary candidates for Florida’s 13th Congressional District, referred to several Democrats but in particular to Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, D-Minnesota. Omar was born in Somalia and came to U.S. as a child.

'Hang traitors'

In recent letter to potential dors, he said that “we should hang” Omar and or “traitors” for “abusing our system to destroy our country.” He mentioned “tinfoil hat accusations” against President Donald Trump, but didn’t elaborate.

Buck’s letter cited an unverified story that Omar is an asset of a foreign government who passed information to ar foreign government. Omar has denied report, calling it ”outlandishly absurd” in a statement.

“For all ir false, tinfoil-hat accusations of President Trump, Democrats have foreign assets among ir most outspoken leership!” letter re. “We should hang se traitors where y stand. I have tolerance for those who are abusing our system to destroy our country.”

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Buck previously h been on National Republican Congressional Committee’s “Young Guns” program, which mentors and supports candidates in races across country. Chris Pack, committee’s communications director, said in an email Wednesday that House Majority Leer Kevin McCarthy decided to remove Buck from program with support of NRCC Chairman Tom Emmer.

Todd Jennings, chairman of Republicans in Pinellas County, linked via Facebook to a Tampa Bay Times report on letter, and wrote: “re is room for this kind of rhetoric in eir political party. one should ever condone a candidate’s call for violence.”

13th Congressional District is in Pinellas County, on Florida’s Gulf Coast. It encompasses city of St. Petersburg, which is also hometown of incumbent Democrat, Charlie Crist, a former Florida goverr. Whoever wins GOP primary in 2020 will face Crist again.

Buck did t respond to an email sent via his website or to a telephone mess. Buck initially told Times he didn’t write email, though it was signed by him. “I would never talk like that,” he said.

In a follow-up statement, Buck appeared to stand by campaign’s email. “Anyone who commits treason against United States should be tried to full extent of law,” Buck said, ding that death is a possible punishment for treason. He declined to elaborate.

Buck was GOP minee in 2018 but lost general election to Crist, a St. Petersburg Democrat who was a Republican when he was state’s goverr.

letter also criticized Crist, as well as Congresswomen Rashida Tlaib, D-Michigan, and Ayanna Pressley, D-Ohio.

Tony Di Matteo, former chairman of Pinellas County Republican Party, said he didn’t think negative rhetoric would help Republicans raise campaign funds for race. But he said eventual GOP winner will face a formidable opponent in Crist.

“Bashing someone that’s in state of Minnesota, I don’t think that helps you in Florida,” he said. “And my opinion, even with Trump at top of ballot I don’t think anyone’s going to beat Charlie Crist. He’s a tremendous campaigner and raises a lot of money.”

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