GOP Candidate Spars with Controversial Joke in Key Legislative Race: Feeding Dogs to Haitians

A notable controversy erupted in Arizona’s political landscape after GOP candidate Vince Leach made inflammatory remarks at a recent Log Cabin Republican event. Leach’s comments, made during a meeting in Pima County on September 22, have drawn widespread condemnation for their racially charged nature.

During the event, Leach suggested that if Democrats were to win elections, Pima County’s stray dogs would be fed to Haitian immigrants. This shocking statement followed a discussion among Republican candidates seeking support from the audience, notably spurred by Rep. Cory McGarr, who emphasized the importance of Republican wins in every position, even un-elected roles like “dog-catcher.”

Leach’s comment received mixed reactions, leaving some in the audience visibly uncomfortable. Attempting to inject humor into the conversation, he flippantly added, “I’m here all week,” further aggravating the situation.

This misguided joke draws on a baseless conspiracy theory, originally propagated by neo-Nazi groups in Springfield, Ohio. The fictitious narrative characterizes Haitian immigrants negatively and has gained traction within the right-wing media, catching the attention of prominent Republican figures, including U.S. Senate hopeful Kari Lake and former President Donald Trump.

Republicans in Arizona have increasingly leaned into this unfounded story as the election season heats up. For example, Lake recently hinted at reluctance among cities to investigate the bizarre claims of pets being barbecued in Ohio. Additionally, other Arizona Republican candidates, including Mark Finchem and Wendy Rogers, have shared memes and social media posts reinforcing this false narrative.

The Arizona Republican Party escalated the situation by launching a billboard campaign that mimicked fast-food advertisements, further stoking fears around the Haitian community. Advocacy groups decried the billboard as racist, drawing attention to the fact that there are approximately 2,900 Haitians living legally in Arizona, a community often mischaracterized by such dangerous rhetoric.

Despite this, there remains a void of evidence supporting any allegations against the Haitian migrants, who have been integrated members of their communities, positively impacting local economies. City officials have repeatedly refuted these claims.

The repercussions of these falsehoods have been significant, with over 30 bomb threats directed at schools and public officials in response to the amplified rhetoric, necessitating evacuations and increased security measures. The rhetoric has even led local authorities to cancel celebrations promoting diversity.

Notably, J.D. Vance has acknowledged the false nature of the claims he has propagated but maintains that he will continue to share them to draw attention to GOP anti-immigrant agendas. Requests for comments from Leach and McGarr regarding their awareness of the statements’ origins went unanswered.

In light of these developments, Eric Robbins, chairman of the Pima County Democratic Party, condemned the remarks, stating, “Spreading racist smears like this is dangerously irresponsible.” He attributed real-world harm to the inflammatory rhetoric, emphasizing the need for accountability among public figures.

As the political climate continues to evolve in Arizona, these comments and the ensuing fallout serve as critical reminders of the influence and responsibility held by those in power.