Sussex GOP official under fire for anti-Semitic comments

Following recent comments about Jewish politicians made by a top Sussex GOP official, Republicans across the state have condemned and distanced themselves from the remarks.

Responding to remarks posted by Sussex County GOP Vice Chair Nelly Jordan, Sussex County GOP Chairman Don Petitmermet released a statement Jan. 3 saying there is no place for intolerance in the Republican party.

“The actions of Sussex County Republican Party Vice Chair Nelly Jordan are my concern, and I take the situation very seriously,” Petitmermet said. “The SCRP has procedures for evaluating the conduct of our members and holding them accountable where required. The procedures have been used in the past, and will be scrupulously adhered to in this case as well.”

Petitmermet said an advisory board of the Sussex County GOP was set to meet Monday, Jan. 6, to discuss the situation, and a closed meeting will be held Monday, Jan. 13, to discuss and decide whether Jordan will be removed from the vice chair position. “She could be removed at that date,” he said. “I want to make sure proper procedure is followed, and Mrs. Jordan gets due process.”

State GOP Chairwoman Jane Brady released a statement Jan. 2 that said Jordan was elected to her vice chair position, and she will either have to resign or go through a process by Sussex County GOP officials to remove her.

“The remarks made by Nelly Jordan, who was elected to her post by the Sussex County GOP Executive Committee, were offensive, hurtful and anti-Semitic,” Brady wrote.

Jordan could not be reached for comment. The Lewes Republican has been active in politics for years, holding the position of chairwoman of representative districts including the 20th, held by Rep. Steve Smyk, R-Milton. Her husband, Tom, is now chair of the 20th district. Smyk said Jordan erred in judgement and he supports the Sussex County GOP as it addresses the issue.

“I hope that Mrs. Jordan recognizes the ramifications of statements made in her position and cooperates with the decisions of the party,” he said.

On Dec. 9, Jordan posted a comment on Facebook taking aim at Jewish congressmen involved in the impeachment of President Donald Trump. In a screen shot of the comment, she writes, “What amazes me the most in these theatrical Congress hearings, is to see how many Jews 'In Name Only' lend themselves to be in the hoaks (sic) of the pure made up story of Impeachment and the Democrats have woven as spiders catching flies and bugs.”

Meyer Persow, a Florida resident who used to live in Lewes, saw Jordan's post after it was shared with him. In a letter to the editor published in the Cape Gazette Dec. 31, igniting the controversy, he quoted Jordan's comment, comparing it to Nazi propaganda.

“What she wrote, even on a personal Facebook page, is vile and disgusting,” he said. “I couldn’t believe what I was reading.”

Speaking on the WGMD radio show “Radio Free Delmarva with Duke Brooks” Jan. 2, Jordan said she stands by her post. “Everything I said was directed to the Democratic leadership,” she said.

Jordan, who was born in Chile, said during the radio show that her husband is of Jewish descent and many of her Jewish friends have called in support telling her nothing she wrote offends them.

“I am a proud citizen of this country. I was born conservative, and I'll be conservative all my life, and that's what people don't like,” she said.

Persow, a liberal Democrat, said politics had nothing to do with why he released her post.

“I'm not trying to get anyone,” he said. “It could be a liberal Democrat, and I would say the same thing.”

Persow said he is friends with Sussex County Republicans Sen. Ernie Lopez, R-Lewes, and Sen. Brian Pettyjohn, R-Georgetown, and that both called him about Jordan's post. Both also issued statements condemning comments Jan. 1.

“The remarks made by the Sussex County GOP vice chair were wrong and do not reflect the beauty of religious respect and tolerance our founders sought to promote,” Lopez wrote. “After speaking with the vice chair last evening, I’m disappointed that she does not understand how her words are so plainly hurtful, backward and mean spirited, not just toward members of one particular faith, but to all of us who believe in life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. On this first day in this New Year, of this new decade, I wanted to make it clear how I felt regarding this disappointing issue, and expect a full apology from the vice chair to all, in addition to her tendering her resignation from the Sussex County GOP Executive Committee.”

Pettyjohn said he agreed that Jordan should apologize and resign. “Statements which demean others, which call into question the way in which others of different religions than ours practice, or which serve to belittle others, have no place in civilized debate,” he said. “There are far too many important issues to discuss, and distractions such as these serve no good purpose to moving our state forward.”

In an open letter from the leadership of the Delaware House of Representatives Republican Caucus, House Republicans condemned comments made by Jordan and New Castle County GOP Chairman Chris Rowe, who had made a recent comment using a common slur against homosexuals.

Rowe was appointed to his position, and GOP Chairwoman Brady said she asked for his resignation, which he was tendering.

“Nearly as troubling as the comments made by Mr. Rowe and Ms. Jordan is their disappointing response to the understandable anger they created. Neither has apologized for their thoughtless posts, with Mr. Rowe actually attempting to justify his remarks as 'locker room talk between two men,'” the caucus wrote. “The inept actions of Mr. Rowe and Ms. Jordan are unacceptable and do not represent the integrity Delaware Republicans have always strived to maintain. We call for both to immediately issue an apology and step down from their leadership roles. If they remain unwilling to do so, action should be taken to remove them from their posts.”

Persow said the post is no longer on Jordan's Facebook page, which he said shows she must realize it wasn't right.

“When people get caught saying something that they shouldn't, they hide behind freedom of speech, but they can't,” he said. “If you go out there and say things, you have to be held accountable.”

Sussex County GOP lays out procedures

In the midst of controversy surrounding comments made by the vice chair, the Sussex County GOP released an overview Jan. 6 of procedures officials will follow.

A Sussex County Republican Committee Advisory Board composed of senior members typically meets the first Monday of the month; the meeting was scheduled at 7 p.m., Monday, Jan. 6, after the Cape Gazette's deadline.

The agenda included handling of potential charges that may be brought against Vice Chair Nelly Jordan.

Sussex County GOP Chairman Don Petitmermet said members will only discuss the matter; they will not vote to remove Jordan at that time.

On Monday Jan. 13, an executive committee that includes the chairman, secretary, treasurer and district chairs of each representative district are scheduled to meet to handle charges of misconduct against Jordan.

At that time, there will be a hearing of the charges brought forward, and Jordan would be given an opportunity to respond. The group would then discuss the issue and cast a written vote on the charges. A simple majority will determine the outcome.

Petitmermet said the meeting will be closed to the public. At the conclusion of the vote, the meeting will reopen for the committee to complete remaining agenda items.