A candidate for state representative is calling on state Republican leaders to denounce her opponent who is accused of making radical social media posts condemning certain religions.
Angela Elliott, who is running as a Democrat for Indiana House District 93, asked Gov. Eric Holcomb, House Speaker Todd Huston and the Indiana Republican Party on Friday to denounce John Jacob, her Republican opponent, according to a news release from her campaign.
Jacob is accused of making several anti-Catholic and anti-Muslim social media posts and comments a few years ago.
Screenshots of the alleged posts and comments resurfaced two weeks ago on social media. In the posts, which are no longer available publicly, Jacob appears to have made several comments about the Muslim community, saying Muslims are “not peace loving,” and the Koran preaches violence. Several other posts referred to the Roman Catholic Church as a “cult.”
Jacob has not return multiple requests for comment about the alleged posts.
Elliott, in a news release, said Holcomb, Huston and the Republican Party "have thrown their heads in the sand" by refusing to denounce Jacob’s behavior. None have released public statements about it.
"It’s the responsibility of Governor Eric Holcomb, House Speaker Todd Huston, and the Indiana Republican Party to denounce this rhetoric and hold Jacob accountable for his attacks on religious freedom in Indiana," Elliott said in the news release. "It’s alarming to me that Jacob’s extreme and disruptive behavior at the Statehouse could be a permanent talking point for the Republican Party and our state."
Holcomb, Huston and the party did not return requests for comment on Friday. Johnson County GOP chairwoman Beth Boyce also did not return additional requests for comment.
This is not the first time the District 93 race has come under a microscope this election. Last week, Elliott filed a police report about harassment, including threats, she received after a Hoosier Gun Rights mailer went out.
A letter that made similar claims was also sent to voters in the district by Jacob, who is supported by Hoosier Gun Rights. The letter was distributed by Jacob’s campaign and signed by him.
Jacob, whose second-highest priority if elected is drafting and passing constitutional carry laws, claims in his letter sent to District 93 voters that Elliott is an “anti-gun radical” who wants to “restrict the rights of honest Americans.” Elliott said the accusations were not true.
Jacob’s campaign had no input on the mailer and did not coordinate with the group, Jacob said. He condemned making threats against Elliott.
“I am 100% pro-life. I would denounce in the strongest terms the threats against Angela,” Jacob said.
The report, filed with the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, mentions Jacob’s letter and the organization’s mailer.
Elliott, a White River Township resident, was harassed and threatened by phone and on social media, with one person stating “she’s going to meet my barrel,” referring to the barrel of his firearm, Elliott said.
As a result, Sheriff Duane Burgess authorized extra patrols around Elliott’s home.
District 93 represents the far northside of Johnson County and the southside of Indianapolis.
