ABERDEEN, S.D.(HubCityRadio)- On Friday(4th of July), Distict 1 Representative Logan Manhart left what some people described as a disturbing post on Instagram. The post was a picture of himself with the caption ““It’s white boy summer and the boys are back in charge”, and #MAGA. The post has since been removed.
In response the Democrats serving the South Dakota House sent a letter to the Speaker of the House Jon Hansen asking them to condemn those remarks and asking for an apology.
“We are writing today as members of the South Dakota House Democratic Caucus to address a deeply offensive and harmful comment made by Representative Logan Manhart. In a public post, he stated that “it’s white boy summer and the boys are back in charge.” This is not a joke. It is a direct expression of racism and sexism, rooted in white supremacy and patriarchal power. For an elected official to celebrate the return of “white boys” being “in charge” is a disgraceful signal that our government should belong to a narrow, privileged group—rather than to all South Dakotans.”
“We are calling on Representative Manhart to issue a meaningful public apology—not a deflection, not a ‘sorry if you were offended,’ but a clear and direct acknowledgment of how his comment was wrong, who it hurt, and how he intends to grow from this moment. We also urge legislative leadership to address this with the seriousness it demands. Dismissing these remarks or sweeping them under the rug would send a chilling message that hate and exclusion are welcome in our Capitol,”
On Monday, Representative Manhart released the following statement on his Facebook page.
“Friday night, I made a post on instagram referencing “white boy summer.
Left-wing members of our legislature have taken great offense to my post are now using it as clickbait to increase their own social media reach. They are trying to desperately to convince people that I am somehow racist, sexist, and Anti-Semitic.
Anyone who know me or has tracked my voting record knows that their narrative could not be further from the truth. I wake up each and every day proud to represent EVERYONE who calls South Dakota home. EVERYONE!
Interestingly enough, the same legislators who are criticizing me have spent their unremarkable political careers chastising and criticizing white men at every turn, often times for simply, existing.
I am not here for it. I ran for office to be a voice for all of the people, not simply the radical few who take every single thing any Republican says and tries to spin it into some form of identity politics. The people of South Dakota are sick of it and so am I.
I ran for office to help find real solutions for the people in our state who so desperately need it.
I love our state, our nation, and all of our people.
God bless each and every one of you and your families. Have a wonderful and festive SOUTH DAKOTA SUMMER.