Wilmington lawmaker won't run for reelection after anti-Asian slur in email draws backlash

Rep. Gerald Brady will not seek reelection when his term ends in 2022, he said Monday. The announcement comes after a week of criticism and calls for his resignation, after Delaware Online/The News Journal published an email sent by Brady using an anti-Asian racial slur. 

The comments from Brady came from an email exchange with an out-of-state advocate regarding legislation intended to protect sex workers. 

PREVIOUS REPORTING:Democrats say they won't tolerate Rep. Gerald Brady's slur, but have not asked him to resign

“Is the dude basically saying, if we provide free [sex acts] for Uncle Pervie there will be few rapes and chink broads will be shipped in CONEX containers to the Port of Wilmington??” Brady replied from his official government email address.

That June 27 email was intended for a private citizen Brady knows, asking if they could read and summarize the study, said Drew Volturo, spokesman for the House Democratic Caucus. Instead, Brady hit reply and emailed the original sender.

In Delaware, lawmaker emails are not considered public record. The response was shared with Delaware Online/The News Journal.

Brady’s actions “make it more difficult to effectively provide the kind of representation” constituents of his district deserve, he said in a statement on Monday. 

“I cannot in good conscience ask the voters to put their faith in me again after I betrayed theirs,” he wrote. “All residents should have elected officials who serve and treat others with dignity and respect, whether it’s in public forums or in private communications.”

In the days after Brady’s email surfaced, House leaders called on Brady to complete sensitivity training and connect with members of the Asian American community to rebuild trust. 

“As a duly elected official, only Rep. Brady can make a decision about his political future,” House Speaker Pete Schwartzkopf and Majority Leader Valerie Longhurst said in a joint statement on Monday. “House leadership cannot unilaterally take action.” 

House leaders said they were “shocked and disappointed” when they learned of the email, but did not suggest Brady resign. The Delaware Democratic Party also condemned his language, but stopped short of calling for his resignation.

“If Gerald Brady doesn’t want to resign, that’s something that he is going to have to deal with when he looks his constituents in the face next fall and tries to justify why they should vote for him,” said Sarah Fulton, spokeswoman for the Democratic Party.  

In his Monday statement, Brady said he will complete sensitivity training and “work to make amends with the Asian American community.” House leaders also said sensitivity training would be available to all members of the House. 

Meanwhile, residents of Brady's and neighboring distr have taken to social media demanding he step down.

“We’re talking about accountability here,” said Yushu Fu, who founded the Facebook page Delaware Asian American Voice following Brady’s comments. “We’re talking about setting an example for future lawmakers. Not running for reelection? For me, it’s not enough.” 

In the past week, a GoFundMe raising money to put up a billboard in Wilmington calling for Brady’s resignation had raised $790 as of Monday morning. Even with Brady's decision to not seek reelection, plans for the billboard are still underway, Fu said. 

The Delaware Chinese American Association condemned Brady's remarks, and said it was an "affront to everyone who dares to believe in compassion, humanity, and equality," in a statement posted on Facebook. 

"Mr. Brady's careless use of archaic racist and sexist slurs has struck us hard again," the statement said. "It is a painful reminder of the cultural, gender and racial intolerance that many communities continue to face each day."

Natalia Alamdari covers equity and underserved communities for The News Journal. Got a story idea? Reach her at nalamdari@delawareonline.com or 302-324-2312.