The Liberal party dealt with its own political scandal on Labour Day.
On Monday night, the party released a statement saying it’s cutting ties with Saint Croix candidate John Gardner after comments made on social media.
The statement says the comments were “offensive to both women and the LGBTQ2I+ community and not in keeping with the values of the New Brunswick Liberal Party”.
The party calls it “unfortunate” the people of Saint Croix won’t have the choice to vote Liberal in this important election.
The Liberal party statement says “once the comments came to light we quickly informed the candidate we would be moving ahead without him.”
But Gardner has no plans to leave his pursuit of politics, saying in a Facebook post Monday evening he will run as an independent candidate.
“My comments, while on the outset, appear to be homophobic were pointing out the way in which we all fight for our rights, and sometimes conflict with what others consider to be their rights. I myself am part of the LGBT community, and work in a business where we fly the rainbow flag, not as a right, but as an identity,” Gardner wrote.
“Here is the thing. When I was asked to run for the Liberals, I told the leader I was not a Liberal. I am from Saint Croix, and it was Saint Croix I would always represent.”
Voters will head to the polls on September 14.
It has been an interesting period running for public office. This evening I was informed that posts I made a few years…
Posted by John W Gardner on Monday, September 7, 2020
Follow
