For Immediate Release
Monday, August 22nd, 2022
Contact: Josselyn Berry, Jberry@azdem.org
ICYMI: Kari Lake Endorsed Homophobic, Antisemitic Candidate Who Says “All Jews Will Go to Hell”
In Response, Lake Said “Our Great Movement Welcomes Anyone”
PHOENIX– Last Wednesday, Jarrin Jackson, an Oklahoma state Senate candidate with a history of making racist and anti-gay remarks, announced that he won the endorsement of Kari Lake, who said, “We need fighters in EVERY state that’s why I’m proud to endorse Jarrin Jackson for Oklahoma state senate.” Lake’s response to endorsing Jarrin? “Let me be clear: Our great movement welcomes anyone and everyone who wants to fight for a better future.”
Jarrin has a well documented history of saying vile antisemitic and homophobic remarks. In a video from June, Jarrin says “Being gay is gay. It’s the most disgusting, despicable, stupid, thing ever.” Jarrin has also said “the Jews” are “evil” and are “taking over the world” to replace white people.
“It shouldn’t be surprising that Lake went out of her way to support a homophobic, antisemitic candidate when she’s made this exact type of hateful bigotry a cornerstone of her campaign,” said Josselyn Berry, spokesperson for the Arizona Democratic Party. “Lake has deliberately sought out and surrounds herself with people like Jackson. It’s further proof that Kari Lake isn’t actually interested in governing Arizona, but is obsessed with cementing her radical, dangerous, right-wing crusade.”
Even after facing questions and criticism,Lake declined to acknowledge Jackson’s sordid history as true and did not rescind the endorsement. While she’s now attempted to walk back the endorsement, Jackson still proudly displays her endorsement on his website.
Screenshot as of 2pm PT, 8/22/22
See Below for Coverage on Lake’s Endorsement of Jarrin Jackson:
- The Jewish Community Relations of Greater Phoenix– “Kari Lake and Mark Finchem’s endorsements of the antisemitic Oklahoma State Senate Candidate Jarrin Jackson is appalling. We are judged by our relations, and the company we keep.”
- Laurie Roberts: Still waiting for Kari Lake to rescind her support of a gay bashing, antisemitic ‘patriot’–It’s now been three days since we learned that a gay bashing, Jew hating candidate for the Oklahoma Legislature won the Kari Lake seal of approval.
- Phil Boas: Kari Lake will disavow gay-bashing antisemite or the election is over–If she continues to endorse the man who says “all Jews will go to hell,” she’ll prove without any doubt she is unfit to be governor of Arizona.
- EJ Montini: The Oklahoma bigot backed by Kari Lake is no different from her bigoted buddies in Arizona– Jarrin Jackson of Oklahoma is vile. But is he any worse than, say, Arizona’s Wendy Rogers? Or the other swimmers in Lake’s political cesspool?
- Salon: Reactions roll in after Kari Lake endorses Jew-hating Jarrin Jackson–In the days following Lake’s decision to back Jarrin, the internet flooded with reminders of Jarrin’s personal views and past statements regarding racial, religious, and LGBTQ+ issues.
- Congressman Ruben Gallego–“Only reason Kari Lake supports an antisemite or a homophobe for office is because she is both.”