Commissioner apologizes to black group for comments

Friday, Oct. 1, 2004 | 10:46 a.m.

Clark County Commissioner Lynette Boggs McDonald gave a qualified apology Thursday night to a black political organization for comments printed last week that compared the Democratic Party to a modern plantation.

Boggs McDonald, a black Republican locked in a tight race for the District F commission seat, did not disavow the comment she made to the Sun, but said she regretted offending anyone. In a Sept. 23 story, she said, "From my perspective, there is one last plantation in America and it's called the Democratic Party."

The comment immediately sparked a strong response from black Democrats, and the Caucus of African-American Nevadans, which had endorsed Boggs McDonald in her commission effort, brought the candidate back to explain her position. The caucus could strip Boggs McDonald of the endorsement, although caucus leaders said it may be several days before they issue a formal statement on the issue.

Boggs McDonald told the crowd of about 50 people that she made the comment within the context of explaining her conversion from Democrat to Republican in the late 1990s. The Democrats, she said, take black voters for granted.

She added that the Democratic Party also rejected her.

"When I told people I was Roman Catholic and pro-life, people were openly hostile to me," Boggs McDonald said, referring to Democrats. "I have witnessed situations where people were taken for granted."

Nonetheless, if she had know people would be offended, "I would have come up with a better analogy," Boggs McDonald said. "If you were offended or hurt by anything that came out of my mouth, that was definitely not my intention. ... If anyone took offense by my comment or was hurt by my comment, I apologize.

"No party should take one individual's vote for granted, much less an entire race for granted."

Some of those that heard her explanation were not satisfied.

Thompson J. Gaines, who said he has been voting for Democrats since 1940, said the Democratic Party expects black support because the Democrats have consistently supported legislation that benefits that community.

"The must want your vote because all the legislation benefiting people, black people or white people, is Democratic," he said. "The Democratic Party does not take us for granted."

Reginald Morris, however, was more sympathetic.

"I applaud your courage," he told Boggs McDonald, "because that's what we need in leadership.

"The plantation reference was a down-home, from-the-heart reference, in my estimation. I believe you will do a good job."

Shaundell Newsome, chairman of the caucus' executive board, said Boggs McDonald should continue to receive the organization's support.

"We made a decision a few months ago," he said. "We can't run scared because a comment was made. ... You don't want to let one party get too comfortable.

"If she does a great job, as a Democrat or a Republican, if she does a great job, we have to applaud that."

Caucus President Robert Fowler Sr., who is pastor of the West Las Vegas church where the caucus met Thursday, also saluted Boggs McDonald for addressing the issue directly.

"The most positive thing for this whole issue is that she has come before an African-American organization to hold herself accountable," he said.

Boggs McDonald's husband, Steven McDonald, spoke up for his partner at the forum.

"We must work within both parties," he said. "We have made inroads into the Democratic Party. Now we must make inroads in the Republican Party. Please continue to support my wife. She does work very hard for the community."