Burgess Owens pulls out of 4th Congressional District debate

Republican 4th District Congressman Burgess Owens pulled out of Wednesday’s Utah Debate, citing his objection to Salt Lake Tribune Executive Editor Lauren Gustus serving as moderator of the event.

In a video posted online Wednesday afternoon, Owens said he would not participate in the event because of a “racist” editorial cartoon from Tribune political cartoonist Pat Bagley.

“Last year, The Salt Lake Tribune published a racist cartoon depicting me as a member of the KKK, the very same hate group that terrorized my family and my race as a youth in the south,” Owens said.

We expect bias from liberal media, but racism is where I draw the line. Watch my full statement on tonight’s debate👇🏾https://t.co/HGPSMLBKK5

— Burgess Owens (@BurgessOwens) October 12, 2022

During an April 2021 visit to the southern U.S. border, Owens warned of an invasion of migrants coming to the United States.

“They’re coming to your neighborhoods, not knowing the language, not knowing the culture, and there is a cartel influence along the way,” Owens said. “So be aware, don’t think this is a distance from you now, this is coming your way, and it is done on purpose by a party who could care less about we the people.”

Bagleys’ cartoon juxtaposed Owens’ anti-immigrant rhetoric with racist rhetoric used by the Ku Klux Klan.

Following its publication, the entire Utah congressional delegation issued a joint statement condemning the cartoon.

Owens says he demanded that the Utah Debate Commission replace Gustus as moderator of the event. Executive director Erik Nielsen confirmed Owens made that request, but the commission refused to do so.

“I will not in good conscience have anything to do with the racist Salt Lake Tribune and will therefore not participate in this debate. I expect bias from such a liberal outlet, but racism is where I draw the line,” Owens said.

Wednesday’s announcement kept Owens’ streak of skipping out on debates during the 2022 election cycle intact. He refused to debate Republican Jake Hunsaker before their primary election contest in June.

With Owens’ refusal to participate, the only remaining candidates on the debate stage Wednesday night will be Democrat Darlene McDonald and United Utah Party nominee January Walker.

from The Salt Lake Tribune https://ift.tt/NUSTuWq