April 17, 2018 09:36 PM UTC

Colorado GOP apologizes for Facebook post but not racist comments

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• by: Erik Maulbetsch

(Promoted by Colorado Pols)

The Colorado Republican Party has deleted and apologized for posting pictures of State Rep. Dominique Jackson (D – Aurora) with her eyes closed at her desk on the statehouse floor.

The caption declared Jackson to be “In search of the American Dream,” but it failed to mention her serious health condition: lung clots which require her to receive regular IV infusions of white blood cells.

Her condition and the post itself were first reported via Twitter by KRCC radio’s Bente Kirkland.

Republican Party spokesman Daniel Cole apologized to the Representative on Twitter, writing “I’m the one who made the offending post. Upon learning of Rep. Jackson’s condition, I immediately removed it. I apologize to her for having shared the pictures in the first place.” 

A 9News story by Brandon Rittiman also quoted Cole:

“Reached by telephone state GOP spokesman Daniel Cole said he ‘wasn’t aware’ of Jackson’s medical issues. He said the post’s wording was meant to be light-hearted and that he “wouldn’t have made that comment” if he had been aware of her condition, which is why he removed the post this morning.”

Cole posted the images around 3:00 pm on Monday. Within the hour, several commenters had noted her health condition.

Other commenters, however, were less concerned about the Representative’s health. 

Still others chose to make racially charged statements referencing Africa and calling the Representative as a welfare recipient.