RI Gov. Hopeful Ashley Kalus Denies 2018 Text Messages Were Homophobic

RHODE ISLAND — Rhode Island Republican governor candidate Ashley Kalus is facing criticism for sending insulting text messages in 2018 to a Chicago contractor she hired, some of which Democratic rivals say were homophobic. But Kalus told the Boston Globe the texts only prove she's a fighter who will not be taken advantage of.

The newly resurfaced text messages show Kalus, who is running against incumbent Democratic Gov. Dan McKee, repeatedly insulting a general contractor from Chicago named Michael Gruener. Gruener had done work on Kalus and her husband's plastic surgery business.

Names she called him "pathetic loser," "a bottom" and "Mr. Mom." Specifically, the phrase "bottom," was criticized as homophobic, as it has a sexual connotation within the LGBTQ community, the Boston Globe reported.

"The only thing more vile than this sexist, classist, and homophobic language from someone running to be our Governor is her response implying that Rhode Islanders should read this as a sign of strength," Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos tweeted. "Ashley Kalus is an embarrassment."

But Kalus on Wednesday defended the texts during a radio interview with WPRO's Tara Granahan.

"I will not be taken advantage of," Kalus said, saying the texts that went public were taken out of context. "I will stand by my assessment of that person."

Granahan then pressed Kalus on a text she sent to Gruener, which has been criticized as homophobic.

"You seem like a bottom Mike," the text read.

Kalus though, said she wasn't using the term in a homophobic context.

"I meant it as a bottom feeder — bottom of the barrel — I mean, it's being entirely mischaracterized," Kalus said on WPRO. "To claim that it's homophobic in any way is just wrong. I’ve always been an ally to the LGBTQ community."