FLORENCE, Ky. — Republican 66th District candidate TJ Roberts' controversial conservative fundraiser ends after his campaign claims threats forced the Metropolitan Club to cancel original plans. As a result, the event will be held at a different venue as planned.
Kyle Rittenhouse, who gained national attention after fatally shooting two men in Wisconsin during the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests, was announced as a speaker at a fundraiser, sparking backlash online. there was.
Guy Cummins, owner of Smokin' This and That Barbecue in Florence, said Roberts approached him about hosting the event after the original location went out of business. He said he received threats within 24 hours of agreeing to rent the store.
“People called the restaurant and threatened the employees,” he said.
Cummins said he was not concerned about Rittenhouse's attendance because he was acquitted of all charges related to the 2022 shooting.
“All I know is that this boy is innocent because he was tried by his peers and was acquitted,” Cummins said.
At the end of the day, Cummins said he's not particularly concerned about politics being involved.
“There were no dogs in the fight,” he said. “I'm interested in making money here. Any Democrat is welcome to come here and fundraise and have a good time.”
In a post on , said it was forced to change its fundraising efforts. Supporters and my team. ”
In a statement, the Metropolitan Club did not mention the threat as a reason for the event being rescheduled.
“Members of the Metropolitan scheduled an October 8th political fundraiser with us in late September. We planned the event like any other political fundraiser, but The event was canceled due to the announcement of a speaker who may not be in line with the mission of unity.''I am touched,'' the statement read.
WCPO reached out to the Covington Police Department to see if any threats had been reported.
The department said it had not been made aware of any threats against Rittenhouse, the campaign or the Metropolitan Club, even though Covington police had detailed security plans for the venue as of Friday's contact by WCPO. , the department said it was not informed that the venue would be changed. Metropolitan Club.
Roberts' camp called the Metropolitan club's statement “a factual error” and shared a screenshot of an email a club representative sent to the camp.
In the statement, club representatives asked about the potential need for additional security and wrote: “We welcome this event as it aligns with our mission to be inclusive of all ideas and beliefs.”
The campaign also shared screenshots of posts by User X that hinted at the possibility of mass shootings as an example of the threats X Users have received.
Provided by Roberts Campaign
Cummins said he will never tolerate further threats against his facility.
“I'm just not playing,” he said. “I'm here to make money, and the last thing I want to do is have a kid whose number is blocked call a restaurant and tell me what they can and can't do.”
He added that there will be no increased security at Wednesday's fundraiser and that he welcomes dissent to hear the speakers, but he has no intention of violence at the restaurant.
“I'll throw your ass out like rain,” he said.
Roberts' campaign said it was making adjustments to increase police presence at events.
The Kentucky Democratic Party released a statement regarding Rittenhouse's attendance at the fundraiser:
TJ Roberts' recent fundraising efforts with right-wing poster boy Kyle Rittenhouse are yet another reminder to voters that he is an extremist with a disturbing worldview unfit for the General Assembly. Spouting anti-Semitism (splcenter.org), making light of the school shooting hours after the Uvalde tragedy (linknky.com), or disrespecting Martin Luther King Jr. (web.archive) .org), Roberts showed us all: He is unfit for office.
Kentuckians deserve leaders who address the real issues that matter most, like good-wage jobs and health care, rather than using their platforms to monger fear.
Jonathan Levin, Kentucky Democratic Party communications director
