Arduous-core Democrats are seething that one in every of their very own — Staten Island metropolis Councilwoman Kamillah Hanks — praised a pro-Donald Trump-Make America Nice Once more assertion posted on social media.
Republican Vincent Ignizio, the deputy govt director of the town Board of Elections, issued a press release on his private Fb account after the Nov. 5 election saying, “In style vote 300+ electoral votes. Now deliver our Nation Collectively & actually Make America Nice Once more.”
Hanks, a Democrat who represents Staten Island’s blue-leaning North Shore, responded to Ignizio with, “Effectively stated.”
A Democrat who noticed the trade stated Hanks’ remark will all however definitely result in the native pol going through a celebration main problem from an anti-Trump Dem.
“At finest, it’s tone deaf. At worst, it’s a betrayal,” the Democratic borough activist, who requested anonymity, stated of Hanks’ on-line remark.
“Lots of people assume Hanks is a closet Republican and Donald Trump’s victory provides her a permission slip to stroll out into the daylight,” the supply griped.
Hanks, throughout an interview Sunday, referred to as the interpretation of her response “absurd.
“My response was about Trump having the chance to deliver the nation collectively,” she stated. “It was extra about that than the entire MAGA factor.
“Individuals can stir the pot all they need,” added Hanks, who stated she voted for fellow Democrat and Vice President Kamala Harris for president.
Hanks stated she has identified Ignizio for almost 20 years and solely thought he made level.
“Ignizio is a pal, and what he stated I agreed with,” stated Hanks, who’s in search of re-election to a second time period subsequent 12 months.
“I like our nation and at all times assume it’s nice — regardless of all its bumps and bruises.”
She additionally stated glum Democrats ought to cease the round firing squad and as a substitute determine what went unsuitable this election cycle, repair it and look to the longer term.
“Democrats ought to take a deep dive on why we misplaced the presidential election as a substitute of taking a look at my Fb feedback,” the councilwoman stated.
Hanks described herself as “very a lot a reasonable” and “not a left-of-center individual in any respect.”
Metropolis Council Speaker Adrienne Adams changed Hanks as chairperson of the physique’s Public Security Committee final 12 months, reportedly over disagreements with the “How Many Stops Act” legislation that requires NYPD officers to file reviews on extra of their interactions with the general public.
Ignizio stated it was unlucky that Democrats have been attacking Hanks.
“Kamillah and I’ve been associates for 20 years,” he stated. “Everybody has to return collectively post-election.
“The election is over and now it’s time to control,” added Ignizio, a former councilman. “President Trump’s success is our success, and we must always all need that.”
He claimed he wrote comparable posts after Democrats Barack Obama and Joe Biden have been elected president.
Staten Island is a borough the place representatives from completely different events work nicely collectively, Hanks stated.
“That’s what Staten Island electeds do nicely. We cross the aisle to get issues finished. Potholes don’t have a political get together,” the councilwoman stated.
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