Mailer Attacking RI House GOP Candidate Includes Swastika

The Republican Party of Rhode Island responded to a recent anonymous mailer that featured a swastika and was sent to residents living in contested House District 33 attacking Republican candidate Robert Trager by calling it ”cowardly and downright dirty.”

The mailer, which tells voters “Don’t let the Tea Party hijack this Tuesday’s special election” includes pictures of protesters holding signs that say “Impeach the Muslim Marxist” and “Obamafascism” below a swastika.

The mailer alleges that Trager is “bought and paid for by right wing extremists” — a bold claim for a mailer that included no return address, no signature and no disclosure as required by state law, said RIGOP Chairman Brandon S. Bell.

“This is undoubtedly the most scurrilous, lewd, vicious and FALSE undertaking by any group or individual in an attempt to sway the outcome of an election in Rhode Island in modern history,” Bell said in a statement.

Bell said the party plans to ask the state Board of Elections conduct an investigation and audit the “various individuals and organizations who have an interest in this election and would be desperate enough to smear a respected Republican candidate.”

District 33 encompasses portions of Narragansett and South Kingstown. The House seat was vacated by longtime Rep. Donald J. Lally Jr., who resigned in March, citing personal reasons.

Trager faces Democrat Carol Hagan McEntee and Independents C. Elizabeth Candas and James McKnight Jr. in the Tuesday special election.

The candidates gathered last week for a Q&A moderated by Patch Editor Mark Schieldrop in a recorded discussion that has been airing on local public access channels and has been posted online.

This story will be updated.