Politics

EXCLUSIVE: Democrat Fred DuVal Drops Gay Endorsement After Close Supporter Uses The ‘C Word’

Patrick Howley Political Reporter
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Arizona Democratic gubernatorial candidate Fred DuVal dropped the endorsement of a gay Democratic group after one of DuVal’s close supporters used the “C word” to describe a female Democratic lawmaker.

Robert Rowley, leader of the LGBT-oriented Democratic political organization Stonewall Democrats, recently wrote “Cunt” underneath a Facebook photo of Arizona state Rep. Catherine Miranda.

Rowley’s organization endorsed DuVal in the gubernatorial race and Rowley interviewed DuVal for “The Observer Weekly” just last month. Rowley’s group also promoted “FREDSTOCK 2014,” a gay-oriented September 6 party at Tucson’s Hotel Congress that featured DuVal.

Rowley then stood behind his comments in a Facebook chat with a member of an Arizona women’s group, writing, “Sorry but I stand by my assessment, Catherine Miranda IS a cunt and she is going to be recalled.”

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“Mr. Rowley’s comments were offensive, have no place in civil public discourse, and we condemn his comments in the strongest possible terms,” OUT For Fred Committee chairwoman Erica Keppler told The Daily Caller.

Keppler dropped the endorsement on behalf of the DuVal campaign, the campaign told TheDC.

“Mr. Rowley’s comments are not representative of LGBTQ advocacy groups in Arizona, and we denounce his comments and endorsement,” Keppler said.

“As a Chair of OUT for Fred, Erica is speaking on behalf of our campaign,” said DuVal spokesman Geoff Vetter.

DuVal is currently locked in a close race with Republican Doug Ducey with one week to go until Election Day.

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Patrick Howley