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Colorado State Rep Richard Holtorf (R-Akron) referred to a colleague as “Buckwheat,” leading to a heated exchange and brief recess of the House. #coleg #copolitics #9News
It’s not clear from the House video feed who Holtorf called “Buckwheat.” He was immediately challenged by Rep Tom Sullivan, who Holtorf had previously told to get over the murder of his son in the Aurora Theater shooting. https://www.9news.com/video/news/local/next/gop-lawmaker-suggests-colorado-house-colleague-should-let-go-of-sons-murder/73-7eae64d2-f0e9-4bb7-8ffe-fef558ee5ed5
Rep Holtorf recently downplayed concerns by Black colleagues about racism at the Capitol, telling the @denverpost that he had a gay Black friend in college. https://www.denverpost.com/2021/04/22/racism-colorado-black-caucus-legislature/
Rep Holtorf spoke following the recess, first admonishing his colleagues about decorum before acknowledging his “Buckwheat” comment. “I think we all need to consider what we do here and how we talk to each other,” Holtorf said. “We all have to do better. I will start with me.”
“I apologize if I offended anyone in any way. It is not my intent,” Holtorf said. “If anyone would like to talk with me afterwards, I’d be more than happy to visit with them.”
