FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Kent County, MI – To reaffirm its unwavering commitment to the principles of freedom, law and order, and reverence for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, the Kent County Republican Committee’s (KCRC) executive committee on Tuesday voted to censure one of its members who posted pro-Nazi messages on social media.

At a closed-door session, the committee took formal action to censure Derek Anderson for conduct unbecoming of a member of the party and to strip him of his ability to participate in party activities. Anderson is a member of the KCRC’s executive committee by state law, which requires elected officials and winners of the previous year’s primary elections to serve as statutory members.

The issue now goes to a special disciplinary committee to determine if additional steps are warranted. The party also is investigating its ability to legally remove a statutory member and will pursue options to ensure that people who do not uphold its values are not in positions of influence.

“Anderson’s posts are offensive and wholly inconsistent with the beliefs and values of the Republican Party,” said Kent County Republican Committee Chairwoman Lynn Afendoulis. “Moreover, his sentiments dishonor the service and sacrifice of Americans who fought to defeat Nazi Germany and liberate Jewish survivors of concentration camps. We honor the memory of the millions of Jews who perished and reject any ideology that aligns with the sick, murderous regime responsible for their deaths.”

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