Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA) remains in hot water over allegations he spoke to a white supremacist group 12 years ago. Scalise has admitted to speaking at a conference run by the European-Americans for Unity and Rights Organization, a group established by former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke. However, some continue to come to his defense, including Rep. Cedric Richmond, who is currently Louisiana’s sole Democratic Party representative and is black.
Now Rep. Mia Love (R) of Utah’s fourth Congressional district has weighed in on the controversy. Speaking on ABC’s program This Week on Sunday, Love said that Scalise should not be defined by this event.
“My first thought is, you know, this was 12 years ago. It’s interesting that it’s coming up now. I found that really interesting,” she said. “These groups are awful and the last thing I want to do is give them any sort of publicity or credibility and I can say, as far as I’m concerned with Rep. Scalise, he has been absolutely wonderful to work with. He has had the support of his colleagues.”
Love’s statements have been controversial since she is the first black Republican woman elected to Congress. Love added that Scalise is still fit for leadership.
“I believe he should remain in leadership. There’s one quality he has that I think is very important in leadership and that’s humility,” she said. “He’s actually shown that in this case and apologized and I think we need to move on and get the work of the American people done.”
Kenney Knight, a longtime associate of David Duke, contends that Scalise had actually been scheduled to speak at an unrelated event prior to the EURO conference. Love’s office was not available for comment.
