ELLWOOD CITY, Pa. — State Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-District 8) is facing calls from the Pennsylvania Legislative Black and Equality Caucus to resign from office after a report came out alleging he used anti-gay slurs in reference to an openly gay Democratic lawmaker.
The report was published by PennLive.
In that report, Michael Ford, the Secretary/Treasurer of the Pennsylvania Building and Construction Trades Council, said Bernstine used a slur referencing State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta (D-District 181) and said he was skinny because of AIDS.
Channel 11 emailed the Trades Council and Kenyatta’s team but has not heard back.
In a statement to Channel 11, Bernstine pushed back on that report, saying it was a political attack from the union.
“State Rep. Aaron Bernstine categorically denied allegations published by a PennLive reporter. ‘The allegations attributed to me are false,’ Bernstine said. ‘This is a political attack.’
“Bernstine said the article omitted key details about an encounter involving individuals associated with the Pennsylvania Building Trades Council. He was seated in a separate room when several individuals approached him to object to amendments he intended to introduce on legislation supported by the organization.
“‘During that encounter, statements directed at me included, ‘I know where you live,’ ‘I can’t wait to see you outside,’ and ‘I’ll kill you,’' Bernstine said. ‘Political disagreements never justify threats or intimidation. It’s a shame that they need to spread falsehoods to win hearts and minds.’
“Bernstine said information about the incident has been provided to law enforcement and that communications and other evidence are being preserved.
“‘Reporters should scrutinize elected officials, including me,’ Bernstine said. ‘But scrutiny is not a license to publish falsehoods or omit critical context. We are exploring all available legal remedies.’”
Republican State Reps. Scott Barger and Josh Bashline said they were both there and heard the threats from the union members, but said they never heard Bernstine use a slur.
“I didn’t hear anything like that,” Bashline told Channel 11’s Andrew Havranek. “If I hear any kind of thing, whether it be to someone’s race, gender, basically anything at all, even just insults, I also don’t stand for any of that.”
“In this day and age, I don’t even think you hear kids on the playground talk like that. It’s disheartening,” said Rick Telesz.
Telesz is the Democrat running against Bernstine for the House seat next month.
“Every time he does something, I think he can’t go any lower, and he does it,” Telesz said.
In a statement, Jason Gottesman, the House Republican Caucus spokesperson, said, “The alleged conduct is troubling and does not comport with the values and professionalism Pennsylvanians expect of their state lawmakers. All elected officials, regardless of party or position, must act in a manner consistent with the expectations of their constituents. When they fall short of that standard, it is upon them to take personal and individual responsibility for their actions quickly and appropriately.”
The Democratic National Committee, of which Kenyatta is the vice chair, condemned the alleged slur.
DNC Chair Ken Martin and all of the DNC’s Officers released the following statement:
“Hateful, homophobic, and racist attacks like this have absolutely no place in our politics, our communities, or our country. Pennsylvanians deserve better from their elected officials, and Representative Bernstine should be held fully accountable for his harmful, disgraceful, and unacceptable actions. He should resign from office or be censured by the State House.
“Our friend Malcolm Kenyatta is a dedicated and accomplished representative who always stands up for his neighbors, serves his constituents, and leads by example. People throughout this state know Malcolm for his unparalleled character, his strong work ethic, and his focus on delivering for all Pennsylvanians — no matter their background or political party. We are fortunate to have champions like him showing the Keystone State and America what real leadership looks like.”
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