Albert Chester is currently challenging Florida Congressman Al Lawson in the state’s upcoming Democratic primary. But his chances of defeating Lawson are looking pretty slim after several antigay Facebook posts he wrote resurfaced online.
The posts were first reported on by FloridaPolitics.com and date back to 2013 and 2014. Interestingly, they were leaked by members of a progressive group in Tallahassee called the Leon Democratic Executive Committee that had already endorsed Chester.
In them, Chester says all sorts of awful things about LGBTQ people, including calling the LGBTQ rights movement “the devil” for being a “proud stand for unnatural lusts and desires.”
In another post, Chester says he was starting to “not be an Obama supporter anymore” because of the President’s position on LGBT rights.
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And in another, he mocked NFL player Michael Sam by saying he was “coming out too.” Then he said Sam’s historic coming out didn’t matter “as long as you can ball.”
“Bottom line what in the hell do you expect to receive for announcing that you’re a man who likes men,” Chester continued. “These parades, flags, and all this bull.”
On Wednesday, Chester issued a apology for his past remarks in a lengthy statement posted to Twitter, writing: “My past is not an indication of who I am today. Since that time, I have become more knowledgeable about the issues you face. I am fully committed to an inclusive platform that promotes gender equality and strengthens human rights.”
— Albert Chester (@AlbertChester21) July 30, 2020
Lawson, however, was quick to jump on the story, calling his opponent’s past rhetoric “unacceptable.”
“His hateful rhetoric has no place here–not just in Florida’s Fifth District, but across our nation,” Lawson said in a strongly-worded statement. “This is about fundamental decency.”
It continued: “These public statements show that he doesn’t understand the role the federal government must play in creating safe spaces for our most vulnerable. This type of language incites violence and further divides our communities.”
Meanwhile, the members from the Leon Democratic Executive Committee who leaked the posts say they did so in an effort to hold Chester accountable for his past behavior. Since doing so, however, they’ve been ousted from the group.
Chelsea Rimert, Jack Mills, Nicole Ordonez, Sierra Bush Rester, and Bobby Johnson, all say they’re no longer welcome at the group’s meetings and have been blocked from the group’s Facebook discussion page.
Florida’s primary is scheduled to take place on August 18.
Related: Florida is on a race to become the most homophobic state in the nation
Cam
“”Interestingly, they were leaked by members of a progressive group in Tallahassee called the Leon Democratic Executive Committee that had already endorsed Chester.””
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The difference between Democrats and Republicans. Republicans will defend any Republican to the end no matter what usually. Democrats will very often call out bad behavior. This guy deserves the low number of votes he’ll get. See ya bigot!
Chrisk
I would be forgiving if this was say 20 years ago and he was just a kid. Sorry but people don’t turn around in just a mere 6 years. He meant every single word of it so he’s obviously lying now.
When it’s your former Democratic supporters that are leaking shit about you that says everything. He’ll say anything to get elected and then turn around and f*ck his constituents.
HDTex
I’d vote for him. Blacks can’t be bigots.
dhmonarch89
“… I am fully committed to an inclusive platform that promotes gender equality and strengthens human rights.” He attacked gay men/homosexuality- how about a nod to us, like saying ‘gay rights’? Homosexuality is NOT a gender issue!!!
Chrisk
I’d honestly respect him a bit more if he’d just come out and own his bigotry instead of this word salad of supporting human rights. Yeah, like who doesn’t. What a effing POS.
Kangol2
Sorry, brother, but your campaign is heading straight into an abyss. Maybe then you’ll issue a real apology, think about what’s motivating your fear and dismissiveness of LGBTQ people and their allies, and perhaps make a real internal change. From the sideilnes, though. Girl, bye!
ScottOnEarth
Sorry, his bullshit, non-apology just solidifies that he is a bigot. Hopefully this asshole is never voted into public office.
assyrianhunk
Once a Homophobe , always a homophobe. When Obama did not understand the LGBT dynamics, he was calm and compassionate, stating that he is evolving to understand and accept that love knows no boundaries.
But Chester, to feel so rabid and righteous about gays being un-natural is your default mode man. stop lying and appeal to the homophobe voters.
After all, LGBT voting population is only about 25,000,000in the nation with trillions of dollars of economic power and charity.