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Minnesota congressman slut-shamed women on his radio show

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A Minnesota Republican is coming under fire for misogynistic remarks he made on his former radio program. Rep. Jason Lewis, who represents a swing district that covers the area just south of the Twin Cities, was elected in 2016 and is expected to face a close challenge from his Democratic opponent—a woman—in November’s midterm elections. 

The congressman’s comments were first reported on Wednesday by CNN. The network reviewed audio recordings from the radio show Lewis hosted from 2009-2014, unearthing several instances in which he called women sluts and suggested that women who vote Democratic make decisions based on emotion instead of reason.

On one show, Lewis said that women who go to the ballot box with issues like birth control in mind, “have no cognitive function whatsoever.” He also expressed disdain that women could no longer be referred to using derogatory terms. “We required modesty from women,” Lewis said. “Now, are we beyond those days where a woman can behave as a slut, but you can’t call her a slut?”

Angie Craig, a former journalist and health care executive, is challenging Lewis in what The New York Times refers to as “one of the most competitive districts in the country.” She told the Times that “comments like this don’t represent Minnesota values.”

Craig’s words were echoed by Emily’s List, a group that helps fundraise for and support pro-choice women, including Craig, who run for office.“Time and again, Jason Lewis has shown us just how little he respects or understands women,” said Emily’s List in a statement. “In November, women—and all of our allies—have an opportunity to return the favor by sending him home.” 

Lewis, meanwhile, refused to apologize for what he said. “I would not have a problem at all going to the same discussion [on the radio today]... because I don’t tell my daughters to behave like some people in Hollywood behave,” said the congressman in a Thursday interview with a local radio station. “I still hold those standards. I think most women in the 2nd district holds those standards.”

As of April, 472 women had entered to run for House seats during the midterm elections this fall. The majority of these women are registered Democrats. Also, the group of women running for office is more diverse than it has been in the past, including more women of color, more immigrants, and more veterans, according to an article published by The New Yorker.

Controversies have emerged from within the Democratic Party over the gender politics of House seats, most notably in New York’s 14thcongressional district. In June, 28-year-old Latina progressive Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez won a surprise victory over longtime incumbent Joe Crowley. Due to New York’s unusual election laws, Crowley will still appear on the November ballot as the candidate for the Working Families Party. Despite the fact Ocasio-Cortez won by a significant margin, some Democratshave urged New Yorkers to cast their vote for Crowley. Online, Crowley has stated that he is not running in November, but according to the Working Families Party he has refusedto be removed from the ballot.



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