A sheriff in northeast Ohio is making headlines after a controversial social media post concerning Vice President Kamala Harris and her border policies.
Portage County Sheriff Bruce D. Zuchowski shared a Facebook post on Sept. 13 that seemingly instructed residents to write down the addresses of homeowners who have Harris yard signs.
"When people ask me...What's gonna happen if the Flip - Flopping, Laughing Hyena Wins?? I say...write down all the addresses of the people who had her signs in their yards," Zuchowski wrote. "Sooo...when the Illegal human "Locust" (which she supports!) Need places to live...We'll already have the addresses of their New families...who supported their arrival!"
The post included screenshots from a Fox News broadcast with the headlines, "Kamala's open borders are destroying small towns," and "Biden-Harris' open border fuels migrant crime wave." The broadcast focused on Aurora, Colorado and Springfield, Ohio, which were thrust into the national spotlight over claims of migrants taking over apartment complexes and eating neighborhood pets.
The address of at least one home with a Harris sign was shared in the comments. "Adding it to the list," one person replied.
Zuchowski made identical posts on his personal account and his public campaign page, neither of which are official county pages, the sheriff's office told to WJW.
The sheriff addressed the controversy in the same place it began, on Facebook, writing that his post "may have been a little misinterpreted."
"I...as the elected sheriff, do have a first amendment right as do all citizens. If the citizens of Portage County want to elect an individual who has supported open borders (which I've personally visited Twice!) and neglected to enforce the laws of our Country...then that is their prerogative. With elections, there are consequences," he posted on Sept. 17.
"That being said...I believe that those who vote for individuals with liberal policies have to accept responsibility for their actions! I am a Law Man...Not a Politician! I would also like to Thank...The Overwhelming Support I am receiving from many people in Portage County who are afraid or are Not allowed to agree with me publicly," he added.
Zuchowski has been sheriff in Portage County since 2021 and has served in law enforcement for nearly 30 years, according to the sheriff's office website, which describes him as "a proud member of the NRA, and a staunch supporter of the Second Amendment."
Some county residents and officials told local paper The Portager they have filed complaints of voter intimidation against the sheriff. Portage County Commissioner Tony Badalamenti was so disturbed, he announced his resignation from the county's Republican Central Committee.
"This is not the leadership I want to be part of," he said in a video posted to Facebook on Sept. 15. "This is not the leadership that I want to follow."
Meantime, the Portage County TEA Party issued a statement of support for the sheriff, calling him "a true American Patriot." The Portage County Republican Party is also standing by Zuchowski.
"I believe the sheriff's statement is a bit of artistic license getting toward the principal belief that elections have consequences," Party Chairwoman Amanda Suffecool said in a statement, local paper Ravenna Record-Courier reported. "Our sheriffs are elected to stand for the citizens of the county, and Bruce Zuchowski stands for Portage."