This week, the Pennsylvania Republican Party released a statement saying that they do not welcome people who promote bigotry in their party. Yet, they are continuing to promote a fundraiser with gubernatorial candidate Scott Wagner who is refusing to condemn the hatred, racism, and violence that occurred in Charlottesville over the weekend.
“If the Pennsylvania Republican Party is serious about not accepting racism, hatred, and bigotry in their ranks, they will denounce Scott Wagner and uninvite him from their fundraiser,” said Beth Melena, communications director for the Pennsylvania Democratic Party. “Wagner has refused to speak out against the events in Charlottesville, and his silence can be seen as nothing but an endorsement of white supremacists and Neo-nazis. It’s time for the Pennsylvania Republican Party to walk the walk. Words aren’t enough, they need to act by uninviting Scott Wagner from their fundraiser immediately.”
BACKGROUND
Pennsylvania Republican Party is hosting a $250 a head fundraiser featuring State Senator Scott Wagner on September 21, 2017 in York. [Pennsylvania Republican Party Tweet, 8/9/17]
“Pennsylvania Republican Party chairman Val DiGiorgio put out a statement that said, ‘Let me be very clear: anyone who promotes bigotry is not welcome in the Republican Party of Pennsylvania, and we, and we disavow them in the strongest terms.’” [PA GOP Statement, 8/17/17]
“State Sen. Scott Wagner (R-York), who is currently running for governor, said in the York Dispatch that he didn’t want to get involved in a national debate, and he doesn’t intend to issue any statement related to Charlottesville on his social-media profiles.” [Pittsburgh City Paper, 8/16/17]