#FloridaMan running for Lee County Commissioner uses racial slur in e-mails
Meet Sonny Haas. Sonny wants to be a Lee County Commissioner. He’s currently running for Lee County’s District 5 seat. Sonny also used a racial slur in an e-mail, and is now apologizing and defending his actions.
Sonny spoke with NBC 2 News, where he both defended his use of the n-word, while also apologizing for using it, saying “should I have slung the ‘n’ word out even though they said it? Does it make it right that I said it? Obviously, I apologize to the African American people for that.”
Sonny used the word in an e-mailed response to a Lehigh Acres resident about why he should win his seat. The email ended up being forwarded to Lee County Commissioners.
According to NBC 2 News, the e-mail said the following:
“Now I’m seeing the results of the new census. 60 percent Latin. 20 percent black. 20 percent white. The Cubans are colonizing Lehigh. Lehigh is 40 percent grown. Almost 110 thousand residents now. Funny thing. It won’t be a n***** quarters after all. That’s the real plan. I was told. Sonny. We have to put the n****** somewhere. It’s that simple that’s franks plan.”
In response to what he wrote in the email, Haas told NBC 2 News,“this wasn’t no ploy for me to get publicity. It is what it is.”
Frank Mann, who currently holds the District 5 seat, released this statement to NBC 2 News:
“I am astounded by what I read in the e-mail from Mr. Haas. The “N” word hasn’t been heard out of a politician’s mouth, even in the South, in over 40 years. Nor should it be.”
Commissioner Brian Hamman also condemned the statement, telling NBC 2 News:
“I read the email and I thought it was disgusting. I was personally offended by it and I know there are many more people in our community who have every right to be even more offended by it.”
(SOURCE: NBC 2 News)
