Lawmaker's Wife Compares Ohio To Nazi Germany On Social Media

COLUMBUS, OH — On Holocaust Memorial Day, the wife of an Ohio state senator compared the state's stay-at-home order and comments made by Dr. Amy Acton, the director of the state health department, to Nazi Germany. Anti-Semitic signs were also displayed during a protest outside the state Capitol Wednesday.

In response to a question, Acton spoke Wednesday about using certificates to confirm a person is now immune to the new coronavirus. She said she would like persons immune to COVID-19 to have certificates saying they're allowed to go about their business.

State Sen. Andrew Brenner's wife, Sara Brenner, then tagged him in posts likening Acton's words to Nazi Germany. Brenner responded on Facebook, saying he would not let that happen in Ohio.

During multiple news conferences, Acton has spoken about her Jewish background and what it means to her.

The posts also came after an anti-Semitic sign was displayed during a protest in Columbus. Gov. Mike DeWine condemned the sign as "vile and disgusting" before addressing Brenner's comments.

"The recent Internet post by Ohio State Senator Andrew Brenner, likening Ohio’s Department of Health Director’s actions to fight the coronavirus to those taken by the Nazis in Germany during World War II, must also be condemned. The comments showed a complete lack of understanding of the Holocaust — made even more offensive by posting on Holocaust Memorial Day — and was a slur on a good, compassionate, and honorable person who has worked non-stop to save lives and protect her fellow citizens," DeWine said in a social media post.

The governor said any complaints about the state's actions should be directed at him, not Acton.

"Any complaints about the policy of this administration need to be directed at me. I am the office holder, and I appointed the director. Ultimately, I am responsible for the decisions in regard to the corona virus. The buck stops with me," he said.

State Rep. Casey Weinstein called on Brenner to resign and was joined by DeWine, Lt. Gov. Jon Husted, state Rep. Emilia Strong Sykes and others in condemning Brenner's comments.

Brenner later said he was misquoted, despite have his direct quotes printed in many stories, and then apologized to Acton for his words, according to the Columbus Dispatch.