FRANKFORT, Ky. (LEX 18) — A Kentucky state representative is under fire days after Gov. Andy Beshear was hung in effigy at the State Capitol.
On Wednesday evening KY House Democratic leadership held a press conference calling on Republicans to move forward with an official censure of State Representative Savannah Maddox. At the news briefing state Democrats revealed Tweets posted by Representative Maddox that they call divisive. They also denounced past statements they say encouraged protesters to escalate to Sunday's effigy, though Maddox wasn't there at the time.
"Representative Maddox distinguished herself, and not in a good way, by not only appearing at the rallies but also by posing for smiling pictures with those who acted the worst, by the tweets that have come to light that show dramatic intolerance for other Kentuckians," said House Minority Whip Angie Hatton.
Maddox released this statement to LEX 18 in response:
“The Kentucky Democratic Party is scrambling to shore up political cover for the economic devastation Governor Beshear’s actions have created, of which I have been a vocal critic. This press conference is part of a concerted effort to shift blame onto myself and other legislators who have stood by Kentuckians who are hurting, and further signifies an unwillingness to face the fact that Kentucky ranks #1 in unemployment in the nation- with 40% of our workforce out of a job. Hundreds of thousands of Kentuckians have been waiting for well over a month to receive unemployment, and they are running out of hope. They cannot get answers from the Governor’s administration, and don’t know how they’re going to pay their bills or put food on the table. They are the reason that I will not be silenced in demanding accountability from our Governor. Neither I, nor any of the legislators being implicated by the Governor were present at Sunday’s rally- and I stand in unison with the House Majority Caucus in condemning all acts of hatred in the context of political discourse.”
Meanwhile, people across Kentucky continue to share strong opinions on social media about the effigy and Representative Maddox. Some want her removed from her position, while others continue to stand behind her.
