Williams’ Email
The GOP chairman wrote an email on June 3 reported by the Denver Post that had the title “God hates pride.”
Source: Gage Skidmore/Wikimedia
In the email, Williams wrote about how supporters of LGBTQ are “godless groomers” and posted a video of a pastor that had a thumbnail reading “God hates flags.”
Burning Flags
In an X post responding to news of the email being reported on, the official Colorado Republican Party X account put out a post commanding followers to “Burn all pride flags this June.” Some commenters, even Republicans, were displeased with the post.
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“Burn flags? I’m a Colorado Republican. I don’t celebrate pride month. This is a terrible message and so anti free speech it’s disgusting. You guys should be ashamed of yourselves,” said X User Craig Denny.
Stolen Flags
After the Colorado GOP X post calling upon followers to burn flags, KDVR in Colorado reported that pride flags were stolen in the following days.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
“We woke up to a text from a neighbor down the street asking if our pride flag had been destroyed or taken. And sure enough, when we came out in the morning, we noticed it was missing. After connecting with another neighbor that we know had a pride flag out, it sounds like the person stole their flag, banged on a window and yelled an obscenity about the gay community,” said a mom from Arvada Colorado who didn’t want to be identified to KDVR.
Public Outrage
As the story of Williams’ email started to receive mainstream coverage, a barrage of backlash was unleashed against him and the Colorado Republican party.
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“As we enter Pride Month, a time for the LGBTQ community to celebrate who we are and find connection with others, some groups would still wipe us from existence if they could,” said Rocky Mountain Executive Director Mardi Moore. “We know that these extremist groups do not represent all Coloradans, but that doesn’t make statements like the Republican Party’s call to burn Pride flags or the rhetoric from the anti-LGBTQ activists leading efforts to put hateful measures on our November ballots any less harmful.”
Pushback From Republicans
In addition to those on another political side from Williams, he also received pushback from fellow Republicans in the state who viewed his comments as harming Republican political efforts.
Source: Republican Party/Wikimedia
“I think the worst thing in there was the video they embedded into the email which was titled ‘God Hates Flags’ because of the obvious reference to the Westboro Baptist Church,” said Valdamar Archuleta, leader of the state’s Log Cabin Republicans which is a pro-LGBTQ group. “It’s really bad optics. It’s a really bad message. All it’s doing is being divisive and non-inclusive, and that’s not who we are as Republicans.”
Pressure to Resign
Colorado Republican Chair Dave Williams has been a controversial figure before these recent comments, but some Republicans are now applying more intense pressure for him to resign in the wake of national attention to his latest email.
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“This last email — that was it, we’re done,” said Jefferson County GOP Chairwoman Nancy Pallozzi to Colorado Politics. “It was disgusting. I don’t encourage burning the Pride flag. It was a message that should not have been sent out by the Republican Party.”
History of Controversy
This email from Williams is not the first time the GOP chair’s actions have generated controversy.
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In March. revelations emerged about alleged business dealings Williams had with China during the COVID-19 pandemic, which his critics allege show he has close connections with the US adversary.
Unprecedented Step
The move to ouster Williams in this way is being seen as unprecedented but some Colorado Republicans feel that it is important to offer an aggressive rebuke to the language displayed in Williams’s email.
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“It is an aggressive move, but what Dave has been doing for the past few months is just unacceptable anymore,” said Pallozi to Colorado Politics after launching the petition campaign to ouster Williams.
Former Chair’s Comments
The former chair of the Colorado Republican Party Dick Wadhams agreed with the outpouring of criticism toward Williams over his comments.
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“Dave Williams has violated every norm, tradition, and bylaw that have governed the party for more than a hundred years all in an effort to redefine the party in the narrow, divisive, exclusionary agenda he represents,” said Wadhams.
Democrats in Colorado
Colorado Democrats accused Williams’ of bigotry for these comments and are keen to hold the state’s GOP accountable for the chairman’s actions.
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“Until they grow a backbone and dismiss this, we will assume that the CO GOP is speaking for [the state’s Republican elected officials] and all GOP nominees and we’ll make sure CO voters know it,” wrote Democrat Colorado Chair Shad Murib in an X post.
Williams’ Primary Bid
This controversy pressuring Williams comes in the midst of a fierce primary battle he is in with opponent Jeff Crank for Colorado’s 5th Congressional District seat. The two had a debate on June 6 following the email scandal where Williams defended his comments.
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“I do not care what some Pride organizers think about what we’re doing,” Williams said in response to a question about the email. “What I care about is protecting our children. What I care about is advancing biblical principles, and what I care about is what the Lord has to say. If that cost me this election, if that cost me everything, so be it.”