DOVER, Del. --- Days after a meme found offensive by many was posted to her campaign's Facebook page, U.S. Senate candidate Lauren Witzke said she would not apologize for her pro-life views or the image itself.
In an interview with WBOC, Witzke on Monday said she would not back down from her views after an image last week was posted on her campaign's Facebook page depicting Black children that appeared to be dancing with text superimposed on the picture that read "Black Babies When Ruth Bader Ginsburg (sic) Dies." The post appeared on the page shortly after Ginsburg's death and criticized the late justice's positions on abortion.
"If elected, I pledge I will only ever vote to confirm a pro life justice to the Supreme Court."
U.S. Senate Candidate Lauren Witzke.
The picture was removed from the post after a death treat, Witzke said. The accompanying text criticizing Ginsberg still remains and comes days after Witzke was given the nod by GOP voters to be the party's nominee for U.S. Senate in November's general election against Sen. Chris Coons (D).
"Being outraged over a meme isn't going to change anything but moving forward in the pro-life movement and standing firm in our beliefs and being a loud voice for the pro-life movement is going to make a difference," she said.
The post garnered significant backlash, with one Republican state Senator commenting on the post that Witzke was unfit for the job. A number of Facebook commenters slammed the post as classless, with some users accusing Witzke of being racist.
The head of Delaware's Democratic Party also criticized the post, saying that it reflected a history of insensitive comments made by GOP politicians and candidates. He also said the chairwoman of the Delaware State Republican Committee should ask Witzke to step aside.
"It’s the latest diatribe of vitriol from the GOP Senate nominee, who has also pushed white supremacy, anti-Semitism, flat-earthism, and conspiracy theories even as Delaware GOP Chair Jane Brady promotes her candidacy and fundraises for her campaign," said Delaware Democratic Party chairman Erik Raser-Schramm.
On Monday, Brady denounced the social media post and said Witzke may not have been directly responsible for the post and had pledged to manage her own social media platform for the rest of the campaign. She also said in a statement that Witzke would need to repair the damage caused by the meme.
"The content of this post was offensive and tasteless. It has been universally condemned by members of the Republican Party who have spoken to me about it. I personally found it reprehensible," she said.
However, Brady's statement did not call for Witzke to drop out of the race against Coons (D), whose campaign manager denounced the social media post.
"Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a leader, an inspiring advocate and jurist who made a difference for millions of Americans. At the very moment when we should honor her service to our country and come together in reflection, Lauren Witzke did the opposite, posting an offensive meme that celebrated her passing. Delaware deserves better," said Coons campaign manager Christy Gleason.
Leaders of some racial equality groups blasted Witzke's post, saying the content was offensive and inappropriate---especially after being posted so soon after Ginsburg's death.
"Using an arbitrary statistic to define Justice RBG is an obvious ploy to win political gain using the adage that any publicity is good publicity and using a picture of black children dancing in celebration of her death is disgusting and racially motivated," said Anne Smith with the Central Delaware NAACP. "If this is any indication of her thought process, then she should not be running for public office."
"If I voted for her and voted for a politician I thought was going to creating an atmosphere that made everyone feel more welcome --- I would have second thoughts about it," said Marlene A. Saunders with the Southern Delaware Alliance on Racial Justice.
Witzke has been no stranger to controversy since kicking off her campaign. The first-time political candidate has called for major restrictions on immigration and pushed for pro-life policies and subsidies for married couples with more than two children. She has also said she previously dealt with drug addiction and was involved with organized crime before getting clean and eventually deciding to run for office as conservative alternative to Coons.
In regards to criticism from GOP politicians, Witzke said she wouldn't be swayed from her convictions.
"Interestingly, the voters have had a very different reaction to the post than a few weak GOP officials, and while those weak members of the Delaware GOP continue to clutch their pearls over an internet meme, I will continue to fight for the lives of the unborn alongside voters who are tired of lip service, and are ready for action," she said.