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Rep. Bill Johnson dismisses Dem chair's call to withdraw support of Trump
CANFIELD
U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson is dismissive of Mahoning County Democratic Party Chairman David Betras’ call that the Republican congressman withdraw his endorsement of Donald Trump over recent statements made by the GOP presidential nominee.
Betras on Wednesday said, “It’s time for Bill Johnson to denounce these statements. If you don’t, what will it take to get [Johnson] to condemn him?”
Trump has made numerous offensive statements, Betras said.
But, he said, Trump took it to new depths in recent weeks by criticizing a Gold Star family, and on Tuesday telling Trump supporters that gun owners could stop Hillary Clinton, the Democratic presidential nominee, in a way that could be interpreted as an allusion to shooting her.
Trump and his campaign have said that’s a misinterpretation of what he said.
“I agree with the comments of Speaker Paul Ryan who said that Mr. Trump’s remark about the Second Amendment sounds like a ‘joke gone bad,’” Johnson said.
Trump’s statements about Muslim parents of an American soldier killed in 2004 by a suicide bomber while in Iraq have drawn criticism from fellow Republicans, including U.S. Sen. Rob Portman of the Cincinnati area, who said he was “disappointed” by the comments.
Johnson, a retired Air Force lieutenant-colonel, wasn’t willing to criticize Trump on Wednesday, saying: “Every Gold Star family should be respected, whether it’s the family of Capt. [Humayun] Khan or the families of the Benghazi heroes.”
Johnson’s 18-county district includes southern Mahoning County.
“I’m calling Bill Johnson out,” Betras said. “He represents this congressional district. At the least he should denounce these comments” by Trump. “This is beyond the pale. You have a congressman who stands behind a guy who is reckless.”
On Tuesday, Trump said of Clinton: “If she gets to pick her judges, nothing you can do folks. Although the Second Amendment people, maybe there is. I don’t know.”
Betras described the statement as a “dog whistle to shoot her.”
Johnson said Clinton “lied to and disrespected Gold Star families following the Benghazi attack,” most Americans find her “untrustworthy,” and when Betras withdraws his endorsement of her, “then maybe he and I will have something to discuss.”
In the general election, Johnson is seeking his fourth two-year term. Belpre Mayor Michael Lorentz is his Democratic opponent.
Congressional race experts consider the 6th District a safe seat for Republicans in the Nov. 8 election.
Lorentz has raised $5,388 compared with $1,424,151 for Johnson as of June 30.
Lorentz said some are “more about politics than doing what’s right for the American citizens.”