RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Amanda Chase, a Republican running for Virginia governor as a self-described “Trump in heels,” said at a campaign event that a fellow state senator seeking the Democratic nod in the race would not “be a governor that supports everyone” because of her leadership in the legislative Black caucus.
FILE This Tuesday Feb. 223, 2021 file photo shows Virginia State Sen. Jennifer McClellan, D-Richmond, gestures during debate on a bill during the Senate session at the Science Museum of Virginia in Richmond, Va. McClellan called the remarks by Republican gubernatorial candidate Amanda Chase bigoted and racist and said they have no place in Virginia politics.
FILE This Thursday Jan. 14, 2021 file photo show State Sen. Amanda Chase, R-Chesterfield, addresses members of the Virginia Senate inside the Science Museum in Richmond, Va. Chase said at a campaign event this week that a fellow state senator seeking the Democratic nomination in the race would not “be a governor that supports everyone” because she is a leader of the legislative Black caucus.
FILE- In this Jan. 12, 2017 file photo State Sen. Jennifer McClellan, D-Richmond, smiles as she is applauded by members of the Virginia House of Delegates during a warm send-off from the chambers at the Capitol in Richmond, Va. McClellan is one of four Democratic candidates for Virginia governor expected to participate in a candidate’s forum hosted by a coalition of progressive advocacy groups.
The remarks about state Sen. Jennifer McClellan came during a campaign event, which Chase said took place Monday night. A video clip was circulated online by Democratic super PAC American Bridge 21st Century.
“I support equal rights not special rights. You know, Sen. McClellan, she is the vice chairman of the Legislative Black Caucus. … And I said she will not be a governor that supports everyone,” Chase said in an apparent reference to a similar attack on McClellan last year.
In a statement, McClellan called the remarks bigoted and racist and said they have no place in Virginia politics.
“I’ve worked as Vice Chair of the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus to deliver generational change this session in education, health care, economic opportunity, the justice system, housing, the environment, and voting for all Virginians,” said McClellan, who has served 15 years in the General Assembly. “The Virginia Legislative Black Caucus has been a force for progress for decades — progress that has benefitted every community of the Commonwealth.”