Politics

Democratic Candidate Accuses Republican Party Of Having ‘White Nationalist’ Debate

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Jason Hopkins Immigration and politics reporter
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During a Monday morning debate, Democratic congressional candidate Tom Malinowski accused the Republican Party of carrying a “white nationalist” identity.

“My party is having a debate right now about the best way to provide health care to Americans,” Malinowski said during an exchange with Republican Rep. Leonard Lance. “The Republican Party right now — not in New Jersey so much, but in Washington, D.C. — is having a very different kind of debate. It’s having a debate about whether to be a white nationalist party or not.”

Those comments — made during a debate at a Holiday Inn in Clark, New Jersey — drew audible gasps of shock from the audience.

The Daily Caller News Foundation obtained a video of Malinowski making the remarks.

Malinowski, who previously worked in the Obama administration, is currently challenging Rep. Lance in New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District. Despite winning the district by comfortable margins every election since 2008, national Democrats believe Lance is vulnerable this year. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has placed Malinowski in their “Red to Blue” program, which provides Democratic candidates with fundraising and organizational support.

The GOP responded to Malinowski’s white nationalist remark.

“This desperate and divisive rhetoric has defined Tom Malinowski’s campaign,” National Republican Congressional Committee spokesman Chris Martin said in a statement to TheDCNF. “He knows he’s losing the battle of ideas to Leonard Lance, so he’s resorted to shameful attacks that have no basis in reality. He should be ashamed.” (RELATED: Democratic Candidate Randy Bryce Cancels Fundraiser With Hugo Chavez Sympathizer Sean Penn)

Malinowski’s campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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