A candidate for Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors says he is ending his campaign after making a disparaging comment.Peter Tase, who is running for District 1 County Supervisor, made the comment at a recent event in Glendale.He drew criticism after saying he worried the Milwaukee suburb could turn into an “African shantytown.”In recorded remarks, Tase told a story where he said two Black men had shoplifted from the store where he worked. Tase said he walked outside to look for police but did not see any officers. The men he described drove away with baby goods, he said.Then, this statement: “I don’t want this neighborhood to turn into an African shantytown, you know?” Tase said.”It’s incredibly racist. Yes. I don’t even know what else to say,” Tase’s opponent, incumbent District 1 County Supervisor Liz Sumner said. “How he makes the jump from someone shoplifting at his store, to the whole community becoming a shantytown is really strange.”Tase did not originally respond Monday to WISN 12’s repeated requests for comment. “During the campaign I made some intemperate comments which I regret,” he told WISN 12 on Tuesday. “In thinking about what is best for everyone going forward in the North Shore and Milwaukee County, I have decided to withdraw my candidacy from the election.”Tase said he has made mistakes and knew his comments were “insensitive, inappropriate and hurtful to many people. For this I am truly sorry.”He is an immigrant from Albania.”I recognize and appreciate what a great country we live in,” Tase said in his resignation letter. “People have the freedom to succeed, to make mistakes and to start over recognizing that the American people are forgiving and want everyone to succeed.”He was running against Sumner and Karen Gentile to represent District 1, which covers far-north Milwaukee and the suburbs of Glendale, Fox Point, Shorewood, River Hills, Bayside and Brown Deer.The primary election is Feb. 15.
A candidate for Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors says he is ending his campaign after making a disparaging comment.
Peter Tase, who is running for District 1 County Supervisor, made the comment at a recent event in Glendale.
He drew criticism after saying he worried the Milwaukee suburb could turn into an “African shantytown.”
In recorded remarks, Tase told a story where he said two Black men had shoplifted from the store where he worked.
Tase said he walked outside to look for police but did not see any officers.
The men he described drove away with baby goods, he said.
Then, this statement: “I don’t want this neighborhood to turn into an African shantytown, you know?” Tase said.
“It’s incredibly racist. Yes. I don’t even know what else to say,” Tase’s opponent, incumbent District 1 County Supervisor Liz Sumner said. “How he makes the jump from someone shoplifting at his store, to the whole community becoming a shantytown is really strange.”
Tase did not originally respond Monday to WISN 12’s repeated requests for comment.
“During the campaign I made some intemperate comments which I regret,” he told WISN 12 on Tuesday. “In thinking about what is best for everyone going forward in the North Shore and Milwaukee County, I have decided to withdraw my candidacy from the election.”
Tase said he has made mistakes and knew his comments were “insensitive, inappropriate and hurtful to many people. For this I am truly sorry.”
He is an immigrant from Albania.
“I recognize and appreciate what a great country we live in,” Tase said in his resignation letter. “People have the freedom to succeed, to make mistakes and to start over recognizing that the American people are forgiving and want everyone to succeed.”
He was running against Sumner and Karen Gentile to represent District 1, which covers far-north Milwaukee and the suburbs of Glendale, Fox Point, Shorewood, River Hills, Bayside and Brown Deer.
The primary election is Feb. 15.
