State Representative John Rogers’ inflammatory comments defending abortion have shocked and horrified not just Pro-Life conservatives; but even people who are strongly pro-choice.
U.S. Senator Doug Jones (D-Alabama) has been friends with Rogers for decades and has represented Rogers in legal matters prior to his election to the Senate. Jones has called Rogers comments reprehensible and urged him to apologize. Jones also criticized Rogers use of the word “retarded” to respond to criticism from Donald Trump Jr. Saying that Donald Junior’s mother should have aborted him was condemned as “reprehensible” even by Planned Parenthood Southeast CEO and President Staci Fox. Alabama Republican Party Chairman Terry Lathan is urging Republicans to call his office and demand an apology.
One candidate went even further and not only should Rogers apologize for his behavior; but urged Rogers to resign from office. Governor Ivey’s former press secretary, Daniel Sparkman is running as a Republican for the vacant House District 74 seat.
“I appreciate Rep. John Rogers’ years of service to the state of Alabama and firmly believe our democracy is made strong through healthy debate,” Sparkman said in a statement. “However, Rep. Rogers’ comments that “some children are unwanted” and deserve to be murdered violates all levels of human decency and is unbecoming of a representative of the people. Therefore, I am publicly calling on the Alabama Democrat Party to disavow these comments, and for Rep. Rogers to resign immediately and apologize for his demeaning, hateful and unconscionable comments. I’m running for State House to represent the values of Alabama, it’s clear Rep. Rogers has turned his back on those values and the people of Alabama, especially our children.”
Thursday, the Alabama Political Reporter asked Rogers if he wanted to retract his comments or apologize.
Rogers said, “I stand by what I said.” Later in the interview, Rogers made the widely criticized comments about the President’s son.
Daniel Sparkman is one of six candidate in the House District 74 Republican primary.
The Republican special primary election will include six candidates.
The others are: Michael Fritz, Tobias Grant, Jesse Caleb Heifner, Jay King, and Charlotte Meadows.
The eventual winner of the Republican nomination will then face Democrat Wayford Mack in the special general election.
HD74 became vacant when state Representative Dimitri Polizos, R-Montgomery, suddenly died from a heart attack.
John Rogers is serving in his ten term in the Alabama House of Representatives. He is 78 years-old.
