Massachusetts Republicans Demand Apology from Senate President Spilka for Tasteless Remark

March 17, 2024

This morning, at the Saint Patrick’s Day Breakfast, where Democratic leaders from across the state gather to celebrate the holiday and share jokes, Senate President Karen Spilka made an exceptionally tone-deaf and inappropriate remark. She commented on Republican Senate Candidate John Deaton’s book, stating, “It’s about 300 pages of talking about how tough he is, how strong he is, and his candidacy is probably the biggest joke here today.” Senator Spilkas’s mischaracterization of the books couldn’t be further from the truth.

MassGOP Chairwoman, Amy Carnevale, called on Senator Spilka to apologize stating, “Today, I am urging Senate President Karen Spilka to issue an immediate apology for her troubling ‘joke’ made this morning regarding U.S. Senate candidate John Deaton’s memoir, ‘Food Stamp Warrior.’ Mr. Deaton’s book, which recounts his journey of overcoming profound poverty, violence, and enduring repeated systemic rape during childhood, is a deeply serious matter. Senator Spilka’s remarks, characterized as a ‘joke,’ are steeped in poor taste, poor  judgment, and utter ignorance. Such remarks only serve to exacerbate the pain experienced by survivors of profound abuse. Senator Spilka needs to apologize immediately and Senator Warren should do the right thing and condemn these tasteless remarks.”

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