Calls continue to mount for Republican U.S. Senate candidate Royce White to drop out of the race after he was ordered by a judge to stay away from his ex-wife and son.
This is the third order for protection his ex-wife has obtained against White since she stopped living with him last year, but the first time he has also been ordered to stay away from his son.
The judge who granted the order has found White liable for abuse.
State GOP Chairman Alex Plechash says White should suspend his campaign and work out his legal issues, speaking to Vineeta Sawkar on the WCCO Morning News Monday.
"When someone seeks public office and falls short of that standard, you know, party leaders like me just have a responsibility to say so and to come out and make some comment," Plechash explains.
White also says he's challenging the judge's order, and called Plechash a "fruitcake" and a "clown" who should step down himself in a weekend social media post.
Plechash that that kind of reaction is typical and he just brushes it aside.
"You know, I said Royce White should step aside because the party and voters should not be put in the position of defending the indefensible," Plechash adds.
The state GOP also released a statement over the weekend:
“The recent reports involving U.S. Senate candidate Royce White and a no-contact order issued by Hennepin County Courts are deeply troubling," the statement reads. "While the Republican Party of Minnesota cannot force any candidate out of a race, we are not going to pretend this is acceptable. Candidates seeking public office must demonstrate sound judgment, behavioral discipline, and respect for the law. These reports raise serious questions about all three. Mr. White should immediately suspend his campaign, address the personal and legal matters before him, and stop putting Republican voters and activists in the position of defending the indefensible. The path forward is clear: he should step aside.”
White is running for outgoing Senator Tina Smith's (D) seat. There are two other Republicans in the race, former sports reporter and WCCO Radio host Michele Tafoya, former Minnesota GOP Chair David Hann.
White has said he has no intention of leaving the race.
"I wouldn't step aside or suspend my campaign for you Tim Walz enablers if you put a (expletive) gun to my head," White wrote on social media.
On the DFL side, current Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan and U.S. Rep. Angie Craig are running for the seat.
White was recently ordered by a judge to stay away from his ex-wife and son but he is challenging the ruling
White was recently ordered by a judge to stay away from his ex-wife and son but he is challenging the ruling
