Greg Lopez, a Republican candidate for Colorado Governor, said at a May campaign event in Silverton that he agreed with a racially charged rant concerning former U.S. President Barack Obama.
Below is the audio and transcript of the exchange.
Greg Lopez: “… a voting block, that had never really voted, that came out. They came out to vote because they saw something in common. They thought he [Obama] was going to help them but we know he didn’t do anything to help their community.”
Audience Member: “May I interrupt this momentarily? He [Obama] is not a true Black man in the first place.”
Greg Lopez: “That’s true.”
Audience Member: “He’s a mulatto.”
Greg Lopez: “Right.”
Audience Member: “Now there’s nothing wrong with being a mulatto. You’re half white and half black. But anyone who calls him the first Black president? That’s bullshit.”
Greg Lopez: “Right.” [Laughing]
Audience Member: “We have yet to have the first Black president.”
[Speaking over each other]
Greg Lopez: “That’s true. We’re all a blend of things…”
Audience Member: “Just to keep things technically correct…”
Greg Lopez: “You know, I tell people: you put my picture next to Governor Polis’s picture and you don’t know anything about politics, you don’t know anything about our issues, and you just ask: ‘Who’s the Democrat?’”
[Audience laughing]
“Mulatto” is an outdated and offensive term that has been used to denigrate biracial people in the U.S. since the 1700s.
Lopez, the former mayor of Parker, is running a campaign that has been full of controversial statements. Lopez has criticized rape victims who want an abortion and has made several homophobic comments.
Lopez is running against University of Colorado Regent Heidi Ganahl in the Republican primary. Whoever wins that primary on June 28 will go on to face incumbent Gov. Jared Polis (D-CO) in November.
Lopez did not return a request for comment by the time of publication. If a statement is provided this story will be updated.
