Portage County Sheriff Bruce Zuchowski appeared to encourage his pals and supporters to write down the addresses of individuals with Democratic yard indicators, sparking accusations of voter intimidation.
In similar posts to his private and public Facebook accounts on Sept. 13, Zuchowski wrote what he claims to inform individuals who ask him what's going to occur if Vice President Kamala Harris wins the presidential election. Using dehumanizing language, he says he tells them to file the addresses of individuals with Harris yard indicators so as to home immigrants with them.
“When people ask me…What’s gonna happen if the Flip – Flopping, Laughing Hyena Wins?? I say…write down all the addresses of the people who had her signs in their yards! Sooo…when the Illegal human “Locust” (which she helps!) Need locations to reside…We’ll have already got the addresses of the their New households…who supported their arrival!” the posts acknowledged, together with accompanying footage of a tv tuned to Fox News.
In the feedback below the submit on his private Facebook web page, one supporter replied with the identify and road of somebody with a Harris signal. “I’ll add that name to the list,” one other replied. Someone else commented, “Making a list and checking it twice.”
As of Sept. 15, that submit had lots of of reactions and over 100 shares.
Zuchowski faces a Democratic challenger to his re-election bid in November. He didn't reply to questions emailed to him on Sept. 14.
The response from residents and Portage County officers was intense over the weekend, with individuals saying they've filed complaints to state and federal companies, members of Congress and the ACLU. Others are reconsidering placing political indicators of their yards, they stated.
The most high-profile denunciation got here on Sept. 15, when Portage County Commissioner Tony Badalamenti criticized the sheriff’s submit and introduced his resignation from the county’s Republican Central Committee.
“This is not the leadership I want to be part of,” he stated in a video posted to Facebook.
Badalamenti had beforehand clashed with Zuchowski over the sheriff’s requests for bigger and bigger funds allocations. Badalamenti had beforehand supported further funding however later stated the county might not afford to meet Zuchowski’s requests.
This refusal helped precipitate a rift within the Portage County Republican Party that led Zuchowski to endorse main challengers for Badalamenti’s and Commissioner Sabrina Christian-Bennett’s fee seats. Badalamenti misplaced his main race to the Zuchowski-backed candidate.
Badalamenti couldn't be reached for remark, however within the video he appeared to counsel the sheriff’s Facebook submit was the final straw.
“[Zuchowski] posted that we should all copy down the addresses of the people that display political signs which are different from our beliefs,” Badalamenti stated. “It scares people. It’s called bullying, from the highest law enforcement official in Portage County.”
Portage County residents who contacted The Portager stated they have been stunned and fearful.
“I have a sign in my yard. Our sheriff is asking MAGA to write down our addresses. This is not normal and it is scary,” one individual stated.
Another expressed concern for her mother and father: “My parents are elderly and have been very politically active Democrats. I am afraid for them now. I don’t want to scare them or suggest they take down their signs, but I am sick to my stomach with worry.”
Others drew parallels between Zuchowski’s reference to individuals as “locusts” and racist rhetoric that befell throughout genocides in Germany and Rwanda.
“The Portage County NAACP was very disappointed to see the divisive post from our elected sheriff,” the group stated in an announcement. “We believe that law enforcement and elected officials both have a duty to ensure public safety for all citizens. Encouraging people to keep addresses, presumably so they can later be targeted, is counter to bringing all of us together to better our community. We encourage all citizens to vote their values in November.”
Portage County Democratic Party Chair Denise Smith additionally inspired voters to reply to the sheriff’s feedback on the polls.
“Any elected official is free to put whatever they want on their personal Facebook page,” she stated. “Anything that someone believes is intimidation, the way to counter that is to vote against that in November, and the 109,000 registered voters should fire any elected official that tries to intimidate them.”
Smith stated the Portage County Democrats have distributed round 750 Harris yard indicators and that residents had been calling her on Saturday. Several informed her they have been reporting the sheriff’s feedback to the lawyer common, she stated.
It’s unclear whether or not the submit crosses any authorized strains. Portage County Prosecutor Vic Vigluicci couldn't be reached for remark. Smith, a lawyer, declined to supply a authorized evaluation however stated, “I would be intimidated if he said it to me.”
Jon Barber, the Democratic candidate for sheriff, stated the episode illustrates the distinction between the 2 males. He stated he discovered the racist language “appalling” and that, in any case, undocumented migration will not be a significant problem in Portage County.
“I think we can agree that people who are fleeing their home countries and are willing to come across a treacherous plain and unbearable conditions are doing it to seek a better life for their children,” he stated. “The sheriff and the former president think they’re all criminals. And I have a hard time seeing that.”
He stated he has talked to residents over the weekend who have been involved about placing out indicators.
“He ordered his supporters to write down addresses and make a list so that they can pass those on to potential criminals,” Barber stated. “I certainly feel that this is voter intimidation.”
“I encourage everybody to ensure you’re registered to vote and that your registration is good,” Barber stated.
We will replace this text with any feedback from Zuchowski or the sheriff’s workplace.
