Rep. Johnson calls for Newton Commissioner to resign

Congressman: No place for public officials who harbor racist attitudes and post slurs online

LITHONIA, GA – Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) today issued the following statement calling for Newton County Commissioner John Douglas to resign after the Republican lawmaker posted a racist social media rant on Facebook:

“I am shocked and appalled that a public official who represents constituents in the same county that I represent would harbor attitudes towards African-Americans – and Black women in particular – as venomous and hateful as those expressed by former Republican state lawmaker and current Newton County Commissioner John Douglas,” said Johnson.

“To make matters worse, Commissioner Douglas was dishonest and untruthful in first denying he had posted his ugly and demeaning comments on Facebook. Then, after acknowledging that the offensive comments were his, he doubled down and said that he would say the same thing again, and that he would apologize only when the victim of his racist attacks apologized to him. Finally, he expressed what can only be described as a half-hearted apology. Commissioner Douglas’ views have no place in public life, and he should try to reclaim what little honor he has left by resigning immediately from the Newton County Commission.

“Moreover, I call upon my Republican colleagues to join me in the call for the resignation of Newton County Republican Party Chair Bill Perugino. His refusal, on behalf of the party, to immediately denounce the comments of Commissioner Douglas displays at worst his agreement with the racist and sexist sentiments of Commissioner Douglas, or at best, his lack of understanding that we live in the 21st not the 19th century.”

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