Elmhurst 'Fits The Bill' For Racist?

ELMHURST, IL – U.S. Rep. Sean Casten, who represents parts of Elmhurst, wrote a tweet last month that could be perceived as suggesting that Elmhurst is a good place for a racist.

Casten's district consists of many western suburbs, including the northern and western parts of Elmhurst.

Casten's spokesman, Jacob Vurpillat, said in an email Wednesday the congressman's criticism was not aimed at Elmhurst.

“Rep. Casten loves Elmhurst and visits the town frequently," Vurpillat said. "He was not at all meaning to imply that Elmhurst or his constituents that live there are racist, but rather that its proximity to Chicago allowed for Ron DeSantis to host a closed-door event while still employing many of the racist dog whistles often used by far-right politicians when talking about Chicago.”

In his Feb. 19 tweet, Casten expressed his opposition to DeSantis, who spoke to Chicago police union members a day later at Elmhurst's Knights of Columbus hall.

"So earlier this week a local Elmhurstian (Elmhurster? Elmhurstite?) asked me the question on everyone's mind: 'why is Ron DeSantis coming here?' Sharing my theory, because it really goes to the heart of today's @GOP. Short answer: he's a racist and a coward who wants to secure the @GOP nomination for President. And Elmhurst fits the bill on all three fronts," Casten said.

Casten continued with criticism of Florida's Republican governor.

"He's a coward," Casten said. "Elmhurst is a safe place. The Elmhurst Knights of Columbus, at an event not open to the general public is even safer. He'll tell us some story after about meeting with Chicago P.D. But that's as brave as going to a resort in Cabo to learn about border security."

Casten, a Downers Grove Democrat, said DeSantis was not coming to learn about crime.

"(I)t's not because he's going to win the precincts in Elmhurst and it ain't about the general election," Casten said. "The fact that he's a leading nominee for the @GOP nomination says more about their party than him."

He then touted the Indivisible Chicago Alliance's planned protest near the Knights of Columbus.

"Anyway, if you want to see a small, weak man from a distance getting out of a limo as he runs into a private room so that he can tell everyone how brave he is, here's a way to do so. Bring a good zoom lens!" Casten said.