Republican Congresswoman Claudia Tenney of New York's 22nd district is facing criticism from her likely Democratic opponent and others for comments she made in an interview on Talk 1300 Wednesday. During a discussion about gun policy following last week's mass shooting in Florida, Tenney said:
"It's interesting that so many of these people that commit the mass murders end up being Democrats, but the media doesn't talk about that either."
State Assemblyman Anthony Brindisi, who is running to unseat the first-term Republican, quickly released a statement:
"First, Claudia Tenney said that Democrats are un-American. Now, she is saying, “so many of these people that commit the mass murders end up being Democrats.” This toxic rhetoric is shameful coming from an elected official and is a new low even for Claudia Tenney. She has disrespected the office she holds. Inserting politics into a national tragedy is beyond the pale and disgusting. She should apologize immediately to spare our region any more national embarrassment."
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee said Tenney's comments were "unhinged, shameful and disgusting."
Tenney later issued a statement that read in part she will "continue to stand up for law-abiding citizens who are smeared by anti-gun liberal elitists."
