Democrats in Spencer County chastised one of their own after a derogatory advertisement appeared in the local newspaper.
A tweet surfaced online blasting Democratic candidate Bobby Smith for purchasing a “lynching” ad. The image shown in the Spencer Magnet appears to be four bodies hanging from a tree with the words, “Good Ol Boy System.”
(photo credit: Twitter)
The ad read, “Some hard choices need to be made to make Spencer County great again… I will make those choices.”
A social media user tweeted, “A judge/executive candidate in Spencer County paid for this ad to be placed in a local paper, which is… something.”
Smith justified the ad and told the Courier-Journal he wasn’t trying to mock former lynchings. He said the imagery was more so symbolic of his frustration with this system. He added, “I’m not so much of a party person, but if the liberals in the party find it offensive I will apologize to them.”
Kentucky Democrats got wind of the advertisement and condemned Smith.
“The Kentucky Democratic Party finds this ad to be offensive and appalling given its imagery,” the party tweeted. “There is no defense for making light of lynching. Mr. Smith should rescind it and apologize immediately.”
Smith is running in opposition to Republican incumbent John Riley for Spencer County judge-executive, the Courier reported.
