This is not how to apologize
Wednesday, Sep 26, 2018 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Derek Barichello…
State Rep. Jerry Long, R-Streator, released an apology Tuesday to a former co-worker who said she was physically harassed, among other complaints, leading the state GOP to pull resources from his campaign and ask for his resignation.
Long said Sept. 19 he touched a former co-worker on her neck, denying any wrongdoing and vowing to stay in his race against Democratic opponent Lance Yednock, of Ottawa, for the 76th District house seat.
The House Republican Organization has said Long’s story does not match the one found in an independent investigation corroborated by a witness. The organization said it has a zero tolerance policy for harassment.
Tuesday’s apology is the first from Long regarding this incident.
“Although I feel that the non-threatening touch of my co-worker was nothing more than act of concern, and it was never conveyed to me that it was a problem, I want to say that I never want to ever put anyone in that position of being uneasy,” Long said Tuesday afternoon. “I, therefore, reach out with a sincere apology to my co-worker of the situation that I have put her into.”
I checked and he hasn’t actually apologized to the complainant, so this means almost nothing. It’s mostly just political backside-covering.
* Also, does this mean he’s saying the allegations are legitimate and that the goofy conspiracy theories he and his few remaining allies have been floating are wrong? Well, no. He’s still talking about how his support for Rep. Jeanne Ives’ primary campaign against Gov. Rauner and his fights with HRO led to his banishment…
State Rep. Jerry Long said his support of gubernatorial primary candidate Jeanne Ives led the House Republican Organization to pull its support. […]
While Long was critical of Gov. Bruce Rauner in an Oct. 14, 2017, article, I couldn’t find any record of him supporting Ives. […]
Long clarified Tuesday he was not behind the governor, and almost endorsed Ives, but didn’t do so on record. […]
Long believes his contentious relationship with the House Republican Organization played a role in either the complaint or their reaction to the complaint
Sheesh.
- Precinct Captain - Wednesday, Sep 26, 18 @ 11:40 am:
If you can’t or won’t admit that what you’ve done is wrong, it’s not an apology. This is just sad.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Sep 26, 18 @ 11:44 am:
–Long believes his contentious relationship with the House Republican Organization played a role in either the complaint or their reaction to the complaint–
Where do I sign up for a “contentious relationship” that involves the other party spending a million bucks plus on me?
I could certainly contend with that kind of tension, without a neck rub.
- Albany Park Patriot - Wednesday, Sep 26, 18 @ 11:52 am:
The world is full of jerks.
- low level - Wednesday, Sep 26, 18 @ 11:56 am:
This ties into the task force. So there was a problem - with a sitting member no less? The HRO investigated and withdrew support. You could have all the diversity consultants you wanted and that wouldn’t have stopped Jerry. But when the bosses were made aware, they handled the situation.
- Adios Jerry - Wednesday, Sep 26, 18 @ 11:56 am:
Knowing Long for many years yes he is a great conspiracy theorist, does not know when to keep his mouth shut, and accepts responsibilty for nothing. Refer back to election ‘16 when he told Art Havenhill of the Lasalle County Tea Party “thanks for the blindside jab” concerning a debate with Bramel
- Henry Francis - Wednesday, Sep 26, 18 @ 11:57 am:
Man do these GOPs guys avoid any sort of personal responsibility for anything. Typically they blame the Dems or the press (lame stream, biased, fake news). Now Long is blaming his own party.
- ruce brauner - Wednesday, Sep 26, 18 @ 12:55 pm:
He needs to stop calling her his “coworker.” The candidate is not the coworker of campaign staff, he is their superior.
- Hyperbolic Chamber - Wednesday, Sep 26, 18 @ 1:17 pm:
What ruce brauner said… Co-worker? Is she running for “co-representative” of the 76th district. You’re her boss, Jer.
- lakeside - Wednesday, Sep 26, 18 @ 1:34 pm:
My dude, you are not the one who gets to decide if your touch was “non-threatening.” Since she complained, I guess she disagrees with your robust assessment.
This “oh you just misunderstood, sweetie” is why women are so very tired. And also so very angry.
- Powdered Whig - Wednesday, Sep 26, 18 @ 1:48 pm:
Is this race even close in light of the allegations made against Rep. Long?
- Flat Bed Ford - Wednesday, Sep 26, 18 @ 2:02 pm:
Hat tip to Leader Durkin for handling this issue swiftly and professionally. He did not let politics cloud his judgement and that speaks loudly to his character.
- Rabid - Wednesday, Sep 26, 18 @ 2:10 pm:
Is Rauner going to scratch longs name off the people’s pledge
- Annonin' - Wednesday, Sep 26, 18 @ 2:23 pm:
Maybe Jer needs to call in Santa Paws as a consultant on “touchin’”
- Local - Wednesday, Sep 26, 18 @ 2:32 pm:
Wonder what story Jerry will tell at his local Streator Chamber breakfast tomorrow?