In this Oct. 13, 2014, file photo, Republican Senator Steve Huffman addresses the crowd at a rally held at the Darke County GOP headquarters in Greenville, Ohio. Huffman, who previously questioned whether “the colored population” was disproportionately contracting the coronavirus due to hygiene practices, is facing renewed criticism from Black lawmakers as of Friday, Jan. 22, 2021, following his recent appointment as chair of the state Senate Health Committee. (AP Photo/Al Behrman, File)
Jan 22, 2021 Story by: Editor
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — A Republican lawmaker and physician is facing renewed criticism from Black lawmakers following his appointment as the head of the state Senate Health Committee. This comes after he previously questioned whether members of “the colored population” were contracting the coronavirus at higher rates due to hygiene practices.
“Could it just be that African Americans – or the colored population — do not wash their hands as well as other groups? Or wear masks? Or do not socially distance themselves?” state Sen. Stephen Huffman asked a Black health expert during testimony on June 11. “Could that just be the explanation of why there’s a higher incidence?”
His comments sparked backlash, leading to calls for his resignation from the GOP-controlled Senate by Democrats and the ACLU of Ohio.
Despite the controversy, Huffman, from Tipp City, was appointed last week by Senate President Matt Huffman, his cousin, to chair the Senate Health Committee. This comes after he was dismissed from his role as an emergency room doctor in the Dayton area for his remarks.
In a letter issued Wednesday, the Ohio Black Legislative Caucus called for a health committee chair who could address healthcare disparities in Ohio without political bias.
“If the Senate leadership will not replace Sen. Huffman as Chair, then we will expect Sen. Huffman to use his position to improve the health of Ohio’s African-American population by working with OLBC to pass legislation that effectively addresses health disparities in the state of Ohio,” stated Tony Bishop, the caucus director, in a press release.
Huffman remains licensed to practice medicine in Ohio.
“Senator Huffman is a medical doctor and highly qualified to chair the Health Committee,” spokesperson John Fortney said in a written statement on Friday. “He has a long record of providing healthcare to minority communities and has participated in several mission trips at his own expense to assist those in disadvantaged countries.”
Fortney added that Huffman had previously apologized for “asking a clumsy and awkwardly worded question.”
“Sincere apologies deserve sincere forgiveness, and not the perpetual politically weaponized judgment of the cancel culture,” Fortney emphasized. Source: AP News
