ATLANTA — A prominent Georgia politician backing Donald Trump said Monday the flap over the endorsement from former KKK leader David Duke was drummed up by “leftist media” and wouldn’t stop the front-runner from winning big in the Peach State on Super Tuesday.
“It’s a press hype because the leftist press is not for Trump,” said Georgia Public Service Commission Chairman Lauren “Bubba” McDonald Jr., who was the first elected official in the state to endorse Mr. Trump.
“I’m certainly not racist and I’m a Trump supporter,” he said.
Mr. Trump weathered a fresh wave of criticism after failing to disavow Mr. Duke in a CNN interview Sunday. But he said Monday that he did not hear the question because of a “faulty earpiece” and noted that he had previously disavowed the former Klansman.
Mr. McDonald predicted a big win for Mr. Trump in Georgia, which has the second largest number of delegates after Texas up for grabs when 11 states go to the polls Tuesday.
“Trump’s going to wipe Georgia clean,” he said.
Mr. McDonald, who served 20 years in the state legislature before being elected to Public Service Commission, said most politicians have suffered nefarious endorsements.
“I’ve had relatives who endorsed me who I wish had not,” he said.
• S.A. Miller can be reached at smiller@washingtontimes.com.
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