OLD ORCHARD BEACH — The chairman of the Old Orchard Beach Republican Town Committee has announced he has resigned his seat in light of the York County Republican Committee’s allowing Chairman Jim Booth to retain his post after sending an offensive email.
Last month, Booth emailed area Republicans, urging someone to step up and run against Rep. Justin Chenette, a Saco Democrat who is running for the Senate District 31 seat covering Saco, Old Orchard Beach, Hollis, Limington and part of Buxton. Chenette is also employed by the Journal Tribune as a digital advertising executive.
In the email, Booth twice refers to Chenette, who is gay, as “Little Justine.”
Booth has since apologized personally to Chenette. After the YCRC Executive Committee met in a closed-door session Wednesday, Booth issued a statement acknowledging that he had made a mistake and that his comment was inappropriate for someone in his position.
“I would also like to express my regret to Republicans across York County for creating this distraction. It is my sincere hope we can now move forward to the important work of electing Republicans this November,” wrote Booth.
Booth was not asked to step down from his post, nor did he offer his resignation.
Old Orchard Beach Republican Town Committee Chairman Joseph Thornton, who is also a town councilor, posted a statement on his political Facebook profile page Saturday that he was resigning as chairman of the local GOP.
Thornton said he was “embarrassed and saddened” by the York County Republican Committee’s reaction to Booth’s email. He said though he still remains a Republican and supports the party, he could not in good faith keep his position in a local Republican committee in York County.
“I am resigning my position as local chairman effective immediately and apologize to Justin Chenette for Senate for this horrible treatment,” said Thornton in the statement. “I also apologize to the members of my local party, but hope you will all understand my position.”
— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or [email protected].
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