Facing public backlash and legal threats, Portage County Sheriff Bruce Zuchowski deleted a controversial Facebook post which referred to people entering the country illegally as “human locusts.”
The post also suggested that addresses of Harris supporters be recorded to accommodate migrants.
The post came in the wake of unfounded rumors spread by former President Donald Trump and Ohio Sen. JD Vance, who claimed Haitian immigrants were eating pets in Springfield, Ohio.
Zuchowski, a Republican running for reelection, took down the post that likened people in the country illegally to “human locusts” and said that Harris’ supporters should have their addresses noted so that when migrants need places to live, “we’ll already have the addresses of their New families … who supported their arrival!”
In this undated photo released by the Portage County Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff Bruce D. Zuchowski poses. Zuchowski, is under fire for a social media post in which he referred to people entering the country illegally as “human locusts.”
Portage County Sheriff’s Office/AP
The comments were made on his personal and campaign Facebook pages, prompting an outcry from Democrats, who saw the remarks as a veiled threat.
His supporters argued that the sheriff was exercising free speech and making a point about immigration policy.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Ohio demanded the post’s removal and threatening legal action.
The ACLU said that the sheriff’s statements was an unconstitutional threat against those displaying political yard signs.
After Zuchowski took down the post, the ACLU claimed victory.
On Friday, the Portage County Board of Elections voted to remove the sheriff’s office from its election security detail for the upcoming early voting period.
Democratic board member Randi Clites cited concerns raised by community members who felt intimidated by Zuchowski’s remarks.
“It is my role and responsibility to make sure every voter feels safe casting their vote. So it was clear something needed to happen,” she said.
Amanda Suffecool, head of the Portage County Republican Party and a member of the elections board, voted against Clites’ motion.
“I view it as political and I view it as a real slap in the face of all of the Portage County deputies that worked for the sheriff’s department,” she said.
She said the argument that Zuchowski had made a threat as “very much a stretch,” adding that “people choose to be offended.”
Election security will be taken over by police in Ravenna, the county seat.
The new policy will continue during years in which the incumbent sheriff is running for reelection.
Zuchowski later issued a follow-up statement, asserting that his comments had been “a little misinterpreted” but reaffirming his stance that voters must take responsibility for their political choices.
The sheriff has not directly addressed why he chose to delete the original post.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press
