Washington lawmaker under fire over document
SPOKANE, Washington — A Republican lawmaker in Washington state denied Friday that he is racist or a white nationalist for distributing a document describing how a “Holy Army” should kill people who flout biblical law.
State Rep. Matt Shea, of Spokane Valley in eastern Washington, has been under fire since he acknowledged in a Facebook video last week that he had distributed the four-page document, titled “Biblical Basis for War,” to some of his supporters.
The document condemns abortion and same-sex marriage and describes how those who don’t follow biblical law should be punished.
At one point, the document says: “If they do not yield, kill all males.”
News of the document prompted several of Shea’s political contributors to demand refunds of their donations.
“I have consistently and unequivocally condemned racism, anti-Semitism and white nationalism and do so again,” Shea said in a Friday tweet.
He said his critics were involved in a “ridiculous smear” to derail his election to a sixth term in the state House, where he has served since his election in 2008.
Shea has embraced far-right conspiracy theories, mingled with militia groups, visited rightwing activists who seized a wildlife refuge in Oregon in 2016, and led a push to convert eastern Washington into a 51st state, called Liberty.
He represents a conservative district that keeps electing him because he is effective in promoting his business-friendly agenda.
Shea, a lawyer, has said the document was merely a summary of sermon notes based on the Old Testament and that he was not promoting violence.
He did not return a message left by the Associated Press.
Critics including his Democratic opponent, Ted Cummings, and Republican Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich have called the document a guideline for Christian domination.
Other critics said the document appears to call for violence against people who do not share Shea’s religious views.
Cummings said the attention appeared to trigger a wave of small contributions to his longshot campaign for the legislative seat.
“I’m overwhelmed by the support coming in!” Cummings tweeted.
“We brought this dangerous, destructive man out of the shadows, into the open.”