Vermont state Sen. Sam Douglass (R) said he was weighing his options following calls for him to resign after a report of his involvement in a controversial Young Republicans group chat.
Douglass issued an apology to his constituents in a press release, where he distanced himself from the group chat and said he was “unaware” of controversial comments.
“I am currently weighing all my options to ensure that the outcome of this is what’s best for the safety and wellbeing of my family and my constituency, and I will make another statement before the end of the week,” Douglass wrote.
Politico reported Tuesday that young Republican leaders had a private Telegram group chat where they made racist, antisemitic, homophobic and pro-Hitler comments and made violent jokes about political opponents, including proposing sending them to gas chambers.
The report disclosed Douglass was a member of the group chat. Bobby Walker, the head of the now-suspended New York Young Republican Club, messaged that a mutual friend of group chat members had dated a “very obese Indian woman.”
When another member replied saying she “wasn’t Indian,” Douglass replied saying she “just didn’t bathe very often.”
In the chat, Douglass also reportedly disclosed that a Jewish colleague of Hayden Padgett, chair of the Young Republican National Federation, may have made a procedural error related to the amount of Maryland delegates permitted at the national convention.
His wife, Brianna Douglass, a national committee member of Vermont Young Republicans, replied, “I was about to say you’re giving nationals to [sic] much credit and expecting the Jew to be honest.”
Since Politico’s report, several members of the group chat have faced resignation calls or have been fired. Several prominent national and state leaders — including House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) — condemned those involved in the chat.
Vermont Gov. Phil Scott (R), who formerly supported Douglass’s election campaign, joined calls for Douglass to resign.
“The hateful statements made in this group chat are disgusting and unacceptable” Scott said in a Tuesday statement. “The vile, racist, bigoted, and antisemitic dialogue that has been reported is deeply disturbing.”
“Those involved should resign from their roles immediately and leave the Republican party – including Vermont State Senator Sam Douglass,” Scott continued.
