Jason Lewis has long history of sexist comments, including lamenting he can no longer call women “sluts”
SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Today, DFL Chairman Ken Martin is calling on Trump’s hand-picked U.S. Senate candidate Jason Lewis to condemn the unhinged, sexist rant his campaign advisor went on moments before Lewis launched his campaign.
Yesterday, State Sen. Dave Osmek – a Lewis campaign advisor and self-described “kitchen cabinet” member – launched a barrage of sexist attacks against U.S. Senator Tina Smith, calling her “an empty-headed pile of nothing.” The comments took place on Thursday morning’s Up and at ‘Em podcast. He also disparaged Sen. Smith as “oily” and “scummy.”
Click here to listen to the Jason Lewis’ team’s sexist rant (beginning at 10:37).
“It’s no surprise that Jason Lewis’ team is beginning their campaign with sexist attacks on women given his own lengthy history of misogynistic comments,” said DFL Chair Ken Martin. “I’m calling on Jason Lewis to condemn these remarks, but I’m not holding my breath given that he once referred to women who care about contraceptive coverage as ‘without a brain.’ Jason Lewis should show women the respect they deserve.”The comments from Jason Lewis’ team come as no surprise. Lewis himself has long history of misogynistic and sexist comments. He has lamented that he can no longer call women “sluts” anymore, he has mocked victims of sexual misconduct, and he has referred to “young single women” who care about contraceptive coverage as “without a brain.”
Transcript Fact Check: In the 2018 special election, Sen. Smith and her opponent debated over and over and over again.
Transcript – Up and at ‘Em podcast, 8/22/19
OSMEK [00:10:37]: [Jason Lewis is] going to be making an announcement. It’s probably the worst kept secret in the world. I’ve been meeting with him a few times. I’m on his kitchen cabinet, you may say. He’s going to announce that he’s going to be running on the ballot in 2020.
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OSMEK [00:14:15]: Now, Tina Smith is as oily and scummy as you can possibly get. She wouldn’t have, if I remember correctly, it wasn’t too long ago, she wouldn’t get into debates with Karin Housley. Of all people, Karin Housley. God love her, she’s one of my colleagues in the senate. But Tina Smith wouldn’t debate. Why? She can’t debate. She’s an empty-headed pile of nothing and Jason’s going to chop her to little pieces.
HOST: Here’s the thing with Karin Housley, her forecheck isn’t quite as good as her husband’s.
OSMEK: You are correct. [laughter] If there’s one thing her husband has is that she’s – he’s better in the corners. She might be better with a slap-shot but he’s –
HOST 2: I don’t know. She’s pretty good neutral zone, trap, you know, turnover, speed.
OSMEK: I’m really looking forward to it. He’s going to go around all of Minnesota. I’m going to be helping along the way.