Garcia, running for Senate seat, refuses to resign House seat after saying socialists should be shot

A Republican member of the Montana House of Representatives is reported to refuse his party leadership’s call for his resignation after inflammatory remarks, saying socialists in the United States can be jailed or shot, and is continuing his run for the state Senate.

Rep. Rodney Garcia, R-Billings, made comments Friday at a Republican gathering in Helena, saying the U.S. Constitution allows socialists to be jailed or shot.

A release from the office of Speaker of the House Greg Hetz, R-Polson, Speaker Pro Tempore E. Wylie Galt, R-Martinsdale, and House Majority Leader Brad Tschida, R-Missoula, noted that Hertz asked Garcia Saturday to “to disavow and retract your comments,” but Garcia had failed to do so.

“Your reckless and un-American remarks are beneath that of a public official and do not represent the values of the Republican Party, the Montana House of Representatives, or the people of our great state,” Monday’s letter said. “Your actions have irreparably undermined the body in which you serve and irrevocably broken the trust of those you were elected to represent. We believe it is clear that you can no longer effectively discharge the duties of the office you hold; therefore, it is our request that you submit your resignation with immediate effect.

The Associated Press reports Garcia said he would not do so, telling AP the “only way I would give my resignation is if God asked me to.”

The Montana Democratic Party called on Republicans to condemn Garcia’s remarks.

“Rodney Garcia has brazenly flaunted his conviction for a domestic dispute, called single moms deadbeats, and was only elected because he created an illegal campaign cash scam. Now he’s publicly calling for people to be shot,” said MDP Chair Robyn Driscoll. “All candidates in attendance — especially those with previous assault charges — must immediately condemn his remarks.”

After the letter calling for Garcia’s resignation was released, Driscoll applauded the Republican request for Garcia to resign, but said it did not go far enough up the chain of Republican officials

“While it’s nice to see certain Republican leaders taking ownership of their caucus and holding their members accountable, it’s alarming that so many others are still hesitant to speak out about such dangerous comments,” she said. “As leaders of the Montana Republican Party, (U.S. Rep.) Greg Gianforte and (U.S. Sen.) Steve Daines must immediately rebuke Rodney Garcia and join calls for his resignation. Until then, their silence stands as a tacit endorsement.”