LAURINBURG — Russell Walker, a Republican hoping to represent Scotland County in the General Assembly, has created a political firestorm over his connection to a racist website.

The website that the candidate for state House District 48 says he began three years ago includes messages that God is a white supremacist and that Jews are descended from Satan.

One post said: “Someone or group has to be supreme and that group is the whites of the world … someone or something has to be inferior … In all history in sub-Saharan Africa, no two-story building or a waterproof boat was ever made.”

Another said: “There is nothing more bigoted than saying that white is the same as black or that all races are equal. If white is equal to black then the day is equal to night.”

The website also claims that women are the weaker sex “because today white Caucasian women are much more willing than men to accept non Israelites … in the voting booth and in bed.”

The website refers to Martin Luther King Jr. by a racial slur and adds, “MLK wanted to destroy the Caucasian race through mixing and integration. He was an agent of Satan.”

The site also criticizes President Ronald Reagan as a “racial traitor whore” for signing the bill that created a national holiday to commemorate King.

In 2017, Walker was part of a lawsuit to keep Confederate flags and portraits of Confederate generals in South Carolina courtrooms. It was dismissed by a York judge. Videos show Walker at the courthouse comparing his Confederacy heritage to the way women feel about abortions or how black people think of civil rights leaders.

Walker, who lives in Hoke County, defends his views.

“I’ve done an awful lot of writing about the question that no one wants to answer, who made the racist?” Walker told The Exchange Thursday. “What is wrong with being a racist?

“I know some Republicans don’t like what’s on the website and I don’t give a damn.”

On Tuesday, state GOP officials said they would not support Walker in his race against incumbent Democrat Garland Pierce of Wagram. Robin Hayes, NCGOP chairman, said Walker does not reflect “the values of our party.”

Rep. John Szoka, N.C. House Republican Caucus, conference chairman, issued a similar statement on Wednesday.

“The North Carolina Republican House Caucus and our members will not support Mr. Walker’s campaign given his comments and actions, Szoka said. “While Mr. Walker won the Republican primary, his rhetoric and actions have no place in the Republican Party, and he should strongly consider withdrawing his candidacy.”

Walker was kicked out of a Scotland County Republican meeting on Monday after calling county Chairman Mark Schenck a lair.

“I stood up and said what I needed to say,” Walker said. “I’ve never been known for my charm and good looks.”

National attention

Walker’s candidacy and past activities have garnered state and national media attention this week, including Newsweek, the Southern Poverty Law Center, the New York Daily News and Fox News.

“To be blunt, I think it is terrific,” he said. “I could never get exposure like this on my own.”

But the 75-year-old retired chemical engineer said the focus on his racial views is simply a diversion from the “real problems” in the Scotland county and the rest of District 48 like high taxes, police shootings, poverty and government intrusion.

“If you look at my campaign website, you will see that I’m really the pro-black candidate,” Walker said. “What the media and some Republicans want to criticize me for is not going to get people a job and is not going to help people pay their bills.”

Pierce declined to comment on his Republican opponent.

“I will let Mr. Walker’s words and deeds speak for him,” Pierce said.

Walker has said the seven-term Democrat has been in the General Assembly too long and compared Pierce to wall paper.

“He looks good, is there, but is absolutely useless,” Walker said.

Still the Republican nominee admits that he has little chance of defeating Pierce in November.

“Something needs to be done and I plan to talk about those things,” he said. “I’m not a politician and I don’t expect to win, but I’m going to rock this election.”

Courtesy photo Russell Walker, the Republican nominee for House District 48, has drawn criticism for his views on race, women and religion.
https://www.laurinburgexchange.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/web1_russell-walker.jpgCourtesy photo Russell Walker, the Republican nominee for House District 48, has drawn criticism for his views on race, women and religion.
Russell Walker’s views draw national attention

Scott Witten

Editor

Reach Scott Witten at 910-506-3023