A Virginia GOP official is taking heat over a Facebook comment that used vulgar language in reference to a female Republican legislator, The Virginian Pilot reports.
Virginia Republican Party Treasurer Bob FitzSimmonds used a slang word for the female genitals to describe Fairfax County Del. Barbara Comstock in an online discussion about donor activity in the race to replace retiring Rep. Frank Wolf.
In response to a comment praising the strength of female conservative voters, Mr. FitzSimmonds said, “I have nothing against Barbara Comstock, but I hate sexist [expletive].”
Ms. Comstock is running for the 10th Congressional District in Northern Virginia.
Mr. FitzSimmonds apologized for the comment in an email and said he thought the word he used had the same meaning as “twaddle,” which is defined as foolish speech.
“The minute I found out my error, I deleted the post and apologized,” he said. “I don’t use that kind of language,” and added, “my post was not about Barbara Comstock. It was relating to the sexist stereotypes being used by the woman posting.”
This is not the first time Mr. FitzSimmonds has made waves on social media. In 2012 he joked on Facebook about President Obama going to hell upon his death.
The backlash over Mr. FitzSimmond’s comment comes in the same week that state Republican Sen. Steve Martin was blasted over an anti-abortion Facebook post in which he used the term “host” to describe pregnant women.
• Kellan Howell can be reached at khowell@washingtontimes.com.
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