Arkansas GOP Official Resigns After Controversial Hillary Clinton Comment

This news story was reported by KATV’s Elicia Dover. To view the comments section of KATV’s web story or to watch a video segment of this news story, click here.

A state Republican Party official resigned Wednesday after comments he reportedly made about Hillary Clinton.

According to a U.S. News & World Report blog, Second Congressional District GOP Chairman Johnny Rhoda was asked by reporters how Clinton would fare in Arkansas if she were to run for president in 2016.

His reported reply: “She’d probably get shot at the state line.”

Republican Party of Arkansas Chairman Doyle Webb issued the following statement on Wednesday (June 25):

“Moments ago, I received the resignation of Johnny Rhoda as Second District Republican Chairman. He was apologetic for the statements he made to the media yesterday and although he feels he was taken out of context, he knows that his statements have created an unnecessary distraction from the important issues before the state today. Johnny has been active in this party for decades and all members of the Republican Party sincerely thank him for his service. I have accepted his resignation which is effective immediately.”

A spokesperson for the Arkansas Democratic Party said that the GOP did not do enough to shun the violent rhetoric.

“This is about taking responsibility for your own actions and the Republican Party has failed to do that,” said Candace Martin, executive director of the Democratic Party of Arkansas.

Talk Business and Politics editor Roby Brock told Channel 7 News that gun violence is not a joking matter when it comes to politics.

“This was a really stupid thing to say. In our society today, joking about gun violence, joking about assassinating a political figure is generally kind of frowned upon,” Brock said.

Brock said a similar situation happened with a GOP committee member last year, when a Benton County GOP committee member, Chris Nogy, wrote a column suggesting gun violence over the private option.

“The Second amendment means nothing unless those in power believe you would have no problem simply walking up and shooting them if they got too far out of line and stopped responding as representatives,” Nogy wrote.

Hillary Clinton will be stopping in Little Rock on Friday for a book signing at Walmart for her new book “Hard Choices.” A spokesperson for Clinton did not immediately return a request for comment on the GOP leader’s statement.