Does the GOP have a problem? Racism charges plague Mike Parry prior to special election.

Republican State Senate candidate Mike Parry has reportedly scrubbed more than 40 racist and homophobic tweets in his Twitter stream. Parry is running to replace former Senator Dick Day in southeastern Minnesota after Day quit mid-term to become a pro-gambling lobbyist. [Unlike most states, MN has no law requiring even a minimal waiting period, so the former lawmaker can work as a lobbyist immediately.]

The Minnesota Independent reported on this recent "off-color" history in an article on New Year's Eve. The front-runner was evidently hoping nobody will notice, but the word is obviously spreading and threatening Parry's candidacy.

The special election takes place on January 26th, 2010. Parry is facing two challengers: the DFL has endorsed St. Olaf professor Jason Engbrecht who currently serves on the Faribault School Board, while Waseca Mayor Srp has filed as an Independent.

Engbrecht's campaign has released donation records that show he received over $3,000 in amounts of $50 or less from MN residents, a measure of broad support which qualified the Engbrecht campaign for public funding.

The damaging revelations about Parry's twitter history came just two days after the other GOP candidate, Del Voegle, officially withdrew from the election to represent Minnesota Senate District 26 on December 29th - a decision that state Republicans may now be regretting.

“read the exclusive on Mr O in Newsweek. He is a Power Hungry Arrogant Black Man.”

Mike Parry
May 27, 2009

It's doubtful that any one comment would doom Parry's candidacy, but removing dozens? Somebody saw trouble if these got reported. The Republicans were presumed the front-runners prior to this story; now Parry's indiscretions may energize the DFL campaign - and voters. Voters will be considering if Parry has suitable judgment and discretion to hold an influential office.