Harrisburg, October 7th, 2016 – Today, State Senator Vincent J. Hughes sent a letter to Senator Joe Scarnati, President pro tempore of the Pennsylvania State Senate, calling for him to appoint a special committee to investigate the potential removal of Charles Wasko, Mayor of West York Borough, pursuant to Article VI, Section 7 of the Pennsylvania Constitution.
Mr. Wasko has received international attention for repeatedly posting threatening, racist, misogynistic, and religiously offensive images on social media. Some of the posts even appear to threaten the life of the President of the United States and denigrate the First Family.
“This is simply unacceptable,” said Senator Hughes. “Federal law makes it a crime to threaten the life of the President of the United States. I do not take the removal of an elected official lightly, but clearly Mr. Wasko is unfit to hold office and this very serious step must be taken.”
Mr. Wasko has repeatedly posted content that compares African-Americans to orangutans and gorillas. He has also posted photos that attack Muslim-Americans and even suggested that President Barack Obama should be lynched. Numerous organizations have called for him to resign, including the West York Borough Council and Pennsylvania NAACP.
“We know from Mr. Wasko’s social media posts that he holds contemptable attitudes towards many of his own constituents,” said Senator Hughes. “His removal is something that ought to be supported by all good thinking people in West York and across Pennsylvania.”
Article VI, section 7 of the Pennsylvania constitution provides a vehicle for the Pennsylvania Senate to remove Mr. Wasko from office. That action would require a full investigation and an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the Pennsylvania Senate.
“I do not believe that Mr. Wasko can perform his duties as mayor,” said Senator Hughes. “His behavior is unacceptable, especially since public officials must be held to a higher standard. It’s time for the Pennsylvania Senate to take action and consider taking the step of removing him from office.”
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