MIDDLETOWN, Ohio — A state lawmaker from a district near Dayton has taken to Facebook to blame the deadly shootings in the city and other parts of the nation on gay marriage, transgender people, video games and former President Obama.
Republican State Rep. Candice Keller also blames the legalization of marijuana, protest by pro athletes, and “snowflakes” in the wake of a shooting early Sunday morning in Dayton that killed 10 people, including the gunman, and wounded 27. In El Paso, Texas, 20 people were killed in a shooting Saturday at a Walmart by a gunman who is believed to be the author of a racist, anti-Hispanic document that details his motivations.
Keller tells the Dayton Daily News she did put the post on her private, personal Facebook page. The Daily News reports it has now been taken down, but screen grabs are being circulated on social media.
Ohio State Representative Candice Keller (represents Middletown, Ohio) says the shootings happened because of my marriage to Craig.
And marijuana.
And “transgender”
And “drag queen advocates” ME AGAIN!
And Obama
And Open Borders.Let her know what you think. 614-644-5094 pic.twitter.com/pfo0xektjn
— Chris Seelbach (@ChrisSeelbach) August 4, 2019
Brian Hester, Butler County Democratic Party chairman, called Keller “an embarrassment” to her party.
“To blame these shootings on some of the very people who have been targeted is offensive to those victims as well as the nine people who were murdered in Dayton this morning and to their grieving friends and family members,” Hester tells the Cincinnati Enquirer.
According to the Enquirer, Keller has made controversial statements in the past and once spoke on a white power advocate’s radio show.
Keller, who operates an anti-abortion pregnancy resource center, recently said she’s stepping back from legislation proposing a tax benefit for donors to centers like hers.
If you’d like to comment on this post, please visit the cleveland.com crime and courts comments section.
