While state representative Cindy Pugh, R-Chanhassen told the Star Tribune via email that she didn't endorse the sentiments in anti-Muslim remarks that she posted on Facebook, comments she made on the post tell a different story, as the screenshot above, clipped by a Republican friend, suggests.
In an update to Minn. Rep. Cindy Pugh, local GOP official warn of Muslims 'infiltrating' precinct caucuses, J. Patrick Coolican reports:
In an e-mailed statement to the Star Tribune, Pugh distanced herself from her own Facebook post: “I hoped to inspire Minnesotans to participate in the caucus process, in no way did I endorse what was written,” she said. “I myself attended my first caucus in 2008. Before that, my level of civic engagement was largely voting. I now understand the importance of engaging in the process at the grass roots level and encourage others to get involved as well!”
In fact, Pugh says that a comment on her post that says that Muslims are "trying to transform our government to suit them" and that they might be better elsewhere is "precisely" the issue.
Following that comment, Pugh remarks "...key word 'trying.' We The People MUST keep them from succeeding."
We have been sent other exchanges, but one between Phillip Parrish, who is seeking the Republican endorsement for Minnesota governor is also telling:
As the Post Bulletin reported earlier this month, Parrish and Pugh attended a presentation in Rochester held by notorious Islamophobe Usama Dakdok.
Bluestem Prairie was the first media outlet to post about his reaction to an invitation for an interfaith dialogue with a local faith leader in Republican gubernatorial candidate Phillip Parrish won't talk with interfaith leader about faith because "Islam is ultimately not a faith." We followed up with Rep. Tina Liebling calls out Parrish, asks GOP candidates to condemn Islamophobic remarks.
The episode was later picked up by City Pages, SPLC and elsewhere.
Kathy Lohmer bonus
A friend sent news that Kathy Lohmer, R-Stillwater had also shared the message, as our screenshot below illustrates. It's on her Facebook page as we write. It's shared from Alley Waterbury, whose Facebook page speaks for itself.
It looks like two Minnesota state representatives have a problem with all eligible Minnesotans from participating in precinct caucuses. Uffda.
Screengrabs: From the Facebook pages of Pugh and Lohmer.
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