GOP leaders defend Cabarrus candidate after racist, anti-immigrant comments online [View all]
A Republican Cabarrus County commission candidates campaign video in a conservative-leaning Facebook group posted Jan. 12 drew a slew of racist comments and prompted vocal defenses from local GOP leaders. Krushani Patel, a candidate seeking a seat on the
Cabarrus County Board of Commissioners, posted the video in Cabarrus County Citizens Against Tax Hikes, an active 2,700-member group with posts and discussions about county politics from a mostly Republican perspective. Local elected officials, candidates and state lawmakers often comment and post in the forum.
Her video discussed the importance of civic engagement for building strong communities an urged people to get involved in local politics. Patel is one of 12 candidates running for three available commission seats.
Instead of staying focused on policy, Patel said, the discussion veered into personal attacks after commenters singled her out as an immigrant and speculated about her religion. Patel was born in India, she told The Charlotte Observer, and has lived in Cabarrus for nine years.
https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politics-government/election/article314412698.html#storylink=cpy