In response to Rep. Gerald Brady’s announcement Monday that he will not seek re-election and will retire from elected office, House Democratic Leadership –Speaker Pete Schwartzkopf, Majority Leader Valerie Longhurst, and Majority Whip Larry Mitchell – issued a joint statement.
The statement comes after the Wilmington-area represented used the slur and made further comments related to sex workers. in an email. The comments made national news in the wake of a wave of violence aimed at the Asian community.
Brady had just come off a major victory as the sponsor of a bill signed by Gov. to put Delaware on the path toward a $15 an hour minimum wage. Brady is Executive Director of the Delaware AFL-CIO and a long-time member of the Delaware National Guard and a veteran of Operation Iraqui Freedom.
“Rep. Brady’s comments were reprehensible, racist, sexist, and indefensible, and each of us expressed that message to him during this past week. After several very frank conversations with him these past few days, we are grateful that he has reached this decision today. We know that it cannot absolve his actions, but we hope it is a first step toward healing and addressing this situation.
“We want to be clear about something we have heard from residents this past week: As a duly elected official, only Rep. Brady can make a decision about his political future. House leadership cannot unilaterally take action. We can and did provide guidance, but the decision ultimately was his.
“During these remaining months, we will ensure that Rep. Brady completes the sensitivity training we directed him to take, as well as reaching out to the Asian American community. We are sincere in our belief that he must take positive steps toward bettering himself and repairing those connections going forward. We also will continue to review the situation and will take any other actions we deem proper and necessary at the appropriate time.
“Lastly, we want to speak directly to Delaware’s Asian American community: We truly apologize for the hurt, anger, and mistrust this past week has caused you. We are keenly aware of the growth in anti-Asian hatred during this past year, and the last thing anyone should have to experience on top of that is one of their elected representatives dehumanizing them as a joke. It’s appalling, and we must expect better.
“To that end, we plan to make sensitivity training available to all members of the House of Representatives. While we do not believe our colleagues harbor such views, it would be beneficial for them to learn of any microaggressions or other attitudes or actions that negatively impact the Asian American community and how we all can take steps to improve our relationships with the community.
“We are committed to making amends as leaders of this caucus and as elected officials, to show by our actions that we are better than the words of one member. We hope that over time, we can regain the trust of the community and work together to ensure a better and brighter future for all Delawareans.”
