(Updated to reflect comments from Johnson County Republican Party chairman)
Republican Party precinct committeeman Michael Kalny will resign his post after saying that Democratic congressional candidate Sharice Davids is a “radical socialist kick boxing lesbian Indian” who “will be sent back packing to the reservation.”
Johnson County Republican Party Chairman Mike Jones said this afternoon that Kalny tendered his resignation today. It will be effective immediately.
Kalny’s remarks were posted on Facebook to Anne Pritchett, president of the Johnson County Democratic Women’s north chapter. Davids is seeking to become the first Native American woman elected to Congress. She also would be the first openly gay member of the Kansas congressional delegation.
“He’s apologetic for his comments. He just didn’t want to bring any negative attention on the party or people who are running on the Republican ticket,” Jones said.
The comments come at a time when Republican incumbent Kevin Yoder is in tight race with Davids. Polls show Davids leading in the race with about a month before the general election.
Jones said he had conversations with Kalny about resigning after the remarks were first reported by The Kansas City Star on Tuesday. Jones said Kalny turned in his resignation Wednesday.
Jones said he never reached the point of asking Kalny to resign.
“It never got to that point,” Jones said. “There was no need to ask him. He understood what he had done and this was probably the best move.”
Jones said Kalny will release a statement later today. The statement will be released through Jones.
“I know Mike personally. He’s a good guy,” Jones said. “He just said some things he shouldn’t have said.”
