KENTUCKY (WHAS11) – A GOP candidate running for Kentucky Secretary of State is facing some backlash following a tweet about Rep. John Yarmuth. The candidate’s tweet suggested he would use the congressman as target practice.
Rep. John Yarmuth had tweeted on Monday he was proud to wear his NRA rating on his chest and invited his colleagues to wear their F ratings as well until the GOP stands up to gun lobbying and pass gun safety laws. His tweet included a picture of the pin on his chest.
Carl B. Nett tweeted in response, “Move it over just a bit. I was trained center mass”. His tweet has since been deleted.
The Kentucky GOP and Democratic parties have condemned the tweet.
The Kentucky Democratic Party Chair, Ben Self, released a statement on Nett’s tweet:
“Carl Nett’s comment about shooting Rep. John Yarmuth is not only alarming but terribly offensive given the numerous shootings including one in Great Mills, Maryland today,” Kentucky Democratic Party Ben Self said. “Nett, a current Republican candidate for secretary of state and campaign contributor to Gov. Matt Bevin, is obviously unfit to be elected for or hold any Kentucky office. Any threats of violence cannot be tolerated in our current political or public forums.”
The Kentucky Republican party slammed Nett's comment as unacceptable. The said the following:
“We believe the tweet was inappropriate, We condemn any suggestion of violence against public servants, even if in jest."
The FBI is also looking into the matter.
