BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – Vermont Republican Senator Sam Douglass is stepping down less than a week after being exposed for his participation in a racist group chat with other young Republicans around the country.
In a statement to WCAX within the last hour, the senator who represents Orleans County said his resignation will take effect Monday at noon.
According to Politico, the chat included comments about rape, Hitler, and gas chambers. Douglass allegedly made a comment about an Indian woman not bathing often. In a separate conversation, Douglass’ wife Brianna, a Vermont Young Republicans National Committee member, is alleged to have made a comment about Jewish people being dishonest.
Doulgass doubled down Friday, saying his comment was not a generalization and doesn’t represent his views or character. “I know that this decision will upset many, and delight others, but in this political climate, I must keep my family safe. And if my governor asks me to do something, I will act, because I believe in what he’s trying to do for the state of Vermont,” Douglass said.
He said he received an onslaught of hate after the Politico story broke. Many lawmakers in Douglass’ own party called for him to resign, including seven GOP state representatives and senators from the Northeast Kingdom.
Governor Phil Scott, who endorsed Douglass in last year’s election, also urged him to resign, calling the comments unacceptable.
The article also made an impact in New York, where the Republican State Committee on Friday voted unanimously to suspend the group New York State Young Republicans.
“The Young Republicans was already grossly mismanaged, and vile language of the sort made in the group chat has no place in our party or its subsidiary organizations,” State GOP Chair Ed Cox said.
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