DISCLAIMER: Some of the language in this article may be crude at times, so reader discretion is advised.VANDALIA (Heartland Newsfeed) — A Democratic Party candidate for Illinois Senate, Brian Stout, is in some hot water following the use of a gay slur on Facebook during a drawn-out argument with a Vandalia area resident.
Democratic state senate Brian Stout engaged in an argument against a Vandalia veteran, which escalated to harassment by law enforcement. Courtesy photo
The unidentified individual who identified himself as a veteran stated that Stout, the candidate running for the open seat in District 54 due to the retirement of Sen. Kyle McCarter (R-Lebanon), started his verbal attacks nearly three years ago, calling him a ‘little faggot’ and demanded that he ‘clean up his shitty yard.’
A representative of the Stout campaign, Tom Elliott, did not dispute Stout’s crude use of language.
“He regrets using it and apologizes to anyone who is offended by it, Elliott said.
Elliott also claims the unnamed veteran called Stout’s wife a ‘spineless bitch’, but has not been revealed or proven anywhere on social media.
The veteran described the situation, citing that the fight started after the Stouts drove the wrong way down a one-way alleyway located behind his home. He cited already being upset at Stout for installing a dog park across the street from his house.
Stout’s power of influence described involved various positions with the City of Vandalia, including his current roles as president of the park district and Vandalia Municipal Airport.
“I posted something on Facebook about it that night and my phone and Facebook page starting lighting up with messages from Stout,” the veteran said.
The social media altercation continued for several months, which escalated to harassment by Vandalia Police Department coming to the veteran’s home and calling his place of employment where he works as a plumber, trying to get him fired.
Elliott continued to be dismissive of the veteran claiming he “had a history of xenophobic, racist, misogynist, bigoted, homophobic remarks on Facebook,” again not with proven evidence presented, also questioning the significance of the exchange.
“This is something that happened three years ago when both were private citizens,” Elliott said. “I don’t see how this is an issue now.”
Stout faces off in the November 6 general election against Republican nominee Jason Plummer of Edwardsville for McCarter’s current seat. McCarter chose not to seek re-election due to his nomination to being an United States ambassador to the African nation of Kenya, soon to replace Robert F. Godec.
Senate District 54 runs from Effingham to Shiloh and includes the entirety of Bond, Fayette, Clinton and Marion counties with portions of St. Clair, Madison, Effingham and Washington counties.
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