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Minuteman Co-Founder’s Violent Past Clouds Ariz. Senate Race

Posted June 8, 2010 by Patrick Young, Esq.
Categories: Hate Watch

Chris Simcox helped get the radical anti-immigrant movement in Suffolk off the ground. Back in the days when Sachem Quality of Life was working with Suffolk pols to create an image of Latinos as “low level terrorists,” Simcox came to Long Island to work with the group as a “militia consultant.” A short time later he became a national figure when he co-founded the Minutemen with Jim Gilchrist.

Simcox became a sought after figure for speeches to conservative groups. He liked to assure them the Minutemen were only there to uphold the law and that all their “volunteers” were fully vetted before going out on “missions.”

Apparently Simcox himself was not vetted. As I reported earlier this week, Simcox has been accused over the years of violent and abusive behavior by three of his wives. Sometimes it was directed at them, sometimes at his kids, and sometimes at himself.

Simcox’s role until recently as a “senior advisor” to J.D. Hayworth, the Tea Party candidate in a tight race for John McCain’s senate seat has turned his personal behavior extremely political. The McCain camp is questioning Hayworth’s judgment in employing an operative whose record includes arrest on federal gun charges.

Here is more on the story from the Arizona Star:

McCain’s campaign has seized on Simcox’s work for Hayworth, a former congressman and talk-radio host who is challenging McCain from the right.

“It’s deeply troubling that Congressman Hayworth would employ as his senior adviser, and use as a key campaign supporter, someone with Mr. Simcox’s well-documented history of violent, abusive behavior,” McCain spokesman Brian Rogers said. “It calls into question Congressman Hayworth’s judgment.”

Chris Simcox resigned as Minuteman president and announced in April 2009 that he would challenge McCain in the GOP primary. He dropped out of the race in February and threw his support to Hayworth, who was better known and has gained more traction against the four-term senator.

Hayworth spokesman Mark Sanders confirmed that Chris Simcox did some work for the campaign in the past but is no longer affiliated. He declined further comment.

Tags : arizona, chris simcox, mccain, mcdc, minuteman, minutemen

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