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Ohio Sheriff Bruce Zuchowski Responds to Concerns About His Harris Post

Vaseline September 19, 2024

An Ohio county sheriff has spoken out again after urging residents to write down the addresses of homeowners who have signs honoring Vice President Kamala Harris in their front yards.

Portage County Sheriff Bruce D. Zuchowski shared a post on Facebook on Tuesday saying an earlier post from Sept. 13 about Harris and migrants may have been misconstrued.

“As the Chief Law Enforcement Officer of Portage County, I have sworn to protect ALL the citizens of my County,” Zuchowski wrote in the social media post. “I recently made a post on my personal Facebook page that may have been misinterpreted a little??”

Zuchowski then wrote that “as an elected sheriff” he has a “First Amendment right, just like all citizens.”

“If the citizens of Portage County want to elect an individual who has supported open borders (which I have personally visited twice!) and has failed to uphold the laws of our country… that is their prerogative,” the Facebook post continued. “In elections there are consequences. That being said… I believe those who vote for individuals with liberal policies should take responsibility for their actions! I am a law enforcement officer… not a politician!”

The sheriff also thanked the “many people of Portage County” for their “overwhelming support,” even though some of them “are afraid or may not publicly agree with him.”

What did Portage County Sheriff Bruce Zuchowski originally say?

In Zuchowski’s original post from September 13, he describes his thoughts on Harris, immigrants and what residents should do if they see a sign supporting the Democratic presidential candidate.

“When people ask me… What happens if the Flip-Flopping, Laughing Hyena wins?? I say… Write down all the addresses of the people who had her signs in their yards,” Zuchowski wrote in the Facebook post. “So… when the illegal human “Grasshopper” (who she supports!) needs places to live… We already have the addresses of their new families… who supported their arrival!”

Zuchowski’s initial social media post included screenshots of Fox News coverage from Aurora, Colorado, and Springfield, Ohio. Both Aurora and Springfield have gained national attention after Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and his running mate, Sen. J.D. Vance, said migrants were committing dangerous acts in the cities, including taking over apartment complexes and kidnapping and eating pets.

Portage County NAACP holds emergency meeting to discuss ‘voter intimidation’

According to an email obtained by USA TODAY, the Portage County NAACP chapter is holding an emergency meeting on Thursday to “discuss allegations of voter intimidation by the Portage County Sheriff.”

The organization said Monday it had received several messages from residents, including concerns about reprisals against voters.

Geraldine Hayes Nelson, vice president of the NAACP chapter, confirmed that the meeting will be open to the public.

“We invite a panel of experts and have small group discussions. Then the small groups have the opportunity to ask questions of the panelists,” said Renee Romine, president of the NAACP chapter.

Jon Barber, Zuchowski’s Democratic opponent, is listed as one of those planning to attend the emergency.

Barber called Zuchowski’s Facebook post “very abhorrent” and said his comments about Harris and immigrants had “very racist undertones.” He also said that as sheriff, Zuchowski took an oath to protect all citizens of Portage County, regardless of their political views.

Contributors: Diane Smith/ Akron Beacon Journal