黑料新闻 State Rep. Anabel Figueroa lost Tuesday鈥檚 Democratic primary to challenger Jonathan Jacobson.
That comes as Figueroa was accused of making antisemitic comments about her opponent during a Spanish-language interview in July.
鈥淭he Hispanic vote is going to determine on Aug. 13 who will win to represent or who will continue to represent you,鈥� Figueroa said in a reviewed by 黑料新闻 that has since been removed from YouTube. 鈥淲e cannot permit a person who is of Jewish origin, to represent our community. It鈥檚 impossible.鈥�
The Stamford Democratic City Committee (DCC) Executive Board, which endorsed Jacobson in the primary race, issued a public call on Tuesday for Figueroa鈥檚 immediate resignation. The board stated that Figueroa was recorded 鈥渕aking antisemitic comments鈥� toward Jacobson.
鈥淭he use of this blatant antisemitic and anti-democratic language is abhorrent, unacceptable, and contrary to our shared values as Democrats,鈥� the board said, stating that Figueroa is unfit to serve in office.
Figueroa did not respond to 黑料新闻鈥檚 request for an interview. She confirmed to the 黑料新闻 Mirror that the English translation of her comments was accurate.
A post on Figueroa鈥檚 political Facebook page Tuesday evening called for 鈥渦nity and respect in our community.鈥�
鈥淪tate Representative Anabel Figueroa condemns hate and division,鈥� the statement read.
Questions about representation
Jacobson said he condemned Figueroa鈥檚 comments.
鈥淚 categorically reject any contention that just because of the color of my skin or my gender somehow makes me less qualified, or that my religion makes me less qualified to lead,鈥� Jacobson told 黑料新闻.
In streamed on Facebook on Aug. 3, Figueroa made similar remarks challenging Jacobson鈥檚 ability to represent Black and Latino residents in Stamford because he is Jewish.
鈥淚 say this with respect. I think if this person were running to represent people from their community or if they were mixed, I think I would respect it. But in my community, we don鈥檛 have people like him, from his community,鈥� she said in the video, according to an English translation by 黑料新闻.
Figueroa also said in the Aug. 3 video: 鈥淲e鈥檙e mixed, we have a large Hispanic population, but I also have a lot of African Americans in the community that are with me, because they know, who better to represent us than someone within the same minority? But a Jewish person? Never.鈥�
Jacobson told 黑料新闻 that those comments are "just incredibly ignorant on many levels."
鈥淪ephardic Jews are Jews from the Iberian Peninsula, who are by definition of Latin origin of Jewish descent,鈥� he said.
According to 30% of Stamford residents identify as Hispanic or Latino and 18% identify as Black. More than 40% of residents say they speak a language other than English while at home,
Latinos in 黑料新闻 are expressing concerns about Figueroa's remarks.
Selina Policar is Stamford Pride's board secretary and is of both Latino and Jewish heritage. She says she is disheartened by Figueroa鈥檚 comments.
鈥淭o say that there isn't any sort of mixing between the Jewish community and the Latino community is dangerous rhetoric," Policar said. "I am severely disappointed in her short-sightedness and ignorance and anti-Semitic rhetoric.鈥�
Attempts at an apology
Jacobson and his supporters gathered Tuesday outside a polling place at Stamford High School chanting, 鈥淪top the hate,鈥� and Figueroa approached,
Jacobson says she offered him an apology, but he did not accept it.
"I said to her that that type of rhetoric is harmful and it has no place in political discourse," he told 黑料新闻. "I believe that what we all want is to be able to come together but that unfortunately a lot of harm was done with her words.鈥�
Jacobson said that Figueroa approached a rabbi and, after a 30-minute conversation, returned to offer a second apology.
He told Figueroa: 鈥淲hat you are trying to do is to put two communities against each other for no reason other than to get votes; shame on you."
Some Latino legislators have reached out to him to express solidarity, Jacobson said. He said they've told him that her remarks do not reflect the values of Latino communities in 黑料新闻.
Jacobson, who is a lawyer and has served on the since 2016, wants voters to look past race.
鈥淒on't judge me by the color of my skin. Don't judge me by whom I worship,鈥� Jacobson said. 鈥淛udge me for the content and the quality of my character, and judge me on what I've done.鈥�
