Politics & Government

E.W. Jackson: Democratic Party is 'anti-God'

More "extreme" statements from Virginia's GOP candidate for lieutenant governor in 2013 election has officials from both parties up in arms.

E.W. Jackson, Virginia’s Republican candidate for lieutenant governor, is drawing criticism for saying  the Democratic Party is “anti-God” — and Christians should disassociate from it.

“I believe that the Democrat Party has become an anti-God party, I think it’s an anti-life party, I think it’s an anti-family party,” Jackson said last week in a radio interview, according to Salon. “And these are all things I think Christians hold to very dearly.” (Listen to audio of the exchange here.)

Jackson, a pastor and attorney from Chesapeake, VA, has repeatedly turned heads for rhetoric that critics have called anti-gay and "hateful."

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And Democrats hosting a media call Monday afternoon were quick to join the party, calling on Jackson to apologize to Virginia Democrats who might have taken offense at the remarks.

Virginia Del. Jennifer McClellan (D-71st) said the comments were both “not true” and “downright offensive.”

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These “hateful comments go directly against some of the most important teachings of God,” said McClellan, adding  she was both a proud Democrat and Christian.

Rev. Robin Gorsline, president of People of Faith for Equality, said Jackson had hurt countless people across the Commonwealth with the remarks and urged him apologize.

Gorsline also said he was bothered that Jackson’s GOP ticket-mates for the November 2013 election hadn’t disavowed the remarks.

Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, Virginia’s Republican candidate for governor, hasn’t addressed Jackson’s outspoken, controversial nature in the past but has said he wants his own campaign to be judged separately from Jackson’s.


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