South Jersey Lawmaker Apologizes For Confederate Flag Patch

A South Jersey politician has apologized for the presence of a patch depicting the Confederate flag that he wore on his American Legion Riders jacket. John Carman, an Atlantic County Freeholder representing District 3, issued the apology Thursday night after his opponent in the November election brought light to the patch.

"The 'South Jersey Rebel' patch which was on my vest was created to symbolize the political North Jersey/South Jersey divide," Carman said in a Facebook post. "It was never intended to have any racial overtones whatsoever. This has been on my vest for years. Upon reflection and public outcry, l have removed it. I apologize for my insensitivity to those it may have offended and assure you that was not my intent. I always have, and always will represent all people, regardless of race or religion"

The patch depicts the State of New Jersey, with the top half covered in an American flag and the bottom covered by a Confederate flag. On Wednesday, Atlantic County Freeholder District 3 candidate Ashley Bennett called the flag a “symbol of hatred, intolerance, and bigotry” in a statement. Bennett is running as a Democrat against the Republican Freeholder from Egg Harbor Township.

In his initial responses, Carman said the patch wasn't created with racial overtones, and that it was meant to mock the political divide between North Jersey — where he says the politicians try to keep all the money for themselves — and South Jersey, which he called “orphans who seem to get left out of a lot of things.” He also said he's worn the patch to honor veterans of all races, but his apology came on Thursday night.

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 7.

Photo by Ty Wright/Getty Images News/Getty Images