Controversial Remarks Surface In Dallas County Judge’s Race

October 29, 2014 5:20 PM

Follow CBSDFW.COM: Facebook | Twitter

DALLAS (CBS 11 NEWS) – Dee Morse says the Governor’s race will draw her to the polls. But the race for Dallas County Judge?
Not so much.

“I don’t really know the ones running right now,” Morse said.

‎The campaign between Democratic incumbent Clay Jenkins and his Republican challenger Ron Natinsky hasn’t received much publicity at all… until now.

A video has surfaced online showing Natinsky speaking at a Republican club in Coppell last year. In the video, Natinsky ‎referred to “her people” and food stamps when he was asked why a Republican isn’t running against long-time Dallas Democratic Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson.

Natinsky said, “We don’t need another five- to 10,000 of her people going to the polls. What we want them to think is there’s no reason, she doesn’t have a opponent. ‎I don’t need to go to the polls. I’ll spend my food stamps at the grocery store or whatever on election day.”

On Wednesday, Natinsky said his comment came after a he had an off-camera conversation about the food stamp program – before his speech.

“I’m sorry that people are misinterpreting it because it is being taken somewhat out of context,” he said.

When asked if he regretted making the remark, Natinsky said, “I don’t know if I regret saying it. I guess it’s unfortunate the off-camera conversation before the meeting morphed into a question at the end of the meeting. I think it’s being whipped into a frenzy right now. If I look back, if I had known today that someone was going to try to make something of it, would I have said it? No, I wouldn’t have said it.”

Jenkins said, “It was disappointing to see those comments, but again the best way to respond to that is to go out regardless of who they’re for and exercise their right to vote.”

On the issues, Natinsky criticized Jenkins’ handling of the Ebola crisis. He disagreed with the county allowing the 48 people who were exposed to Ebola patient Thomas Duncan to self-quarantine‎. “I think we would have been a lot safer had we taken those people, taken over a wing of that hospital, put them in quarantine.”

Jenkins said self-quarantine was the right way to go. “Oh absolutely, and now what you’re seeing is Governor Christie and Governor Cuomo coming around to my way of thinking.”

The two candidates disagree over Jenkins’ proposal for a $10.25 minimum wage for all employees whose companies have contracts with Dallas County. Jenkins believes it’s good for the economy. Natinsky though says the proposal would hurt businesses and taxpayers.

Follow Jack on Twitter: @cbs11jack

Latest News:

Top Trending: