Politics & Government

Report: Robo Survey Calls on District 105 Democratic Primary Were Racially Insensitve

One woman said the survey call "asked if I would vote for an Asian businessman or Africa-American swim mom."

Some Gwinnett County voters say an automated phone survey related to an upcoming primary election was racially insensitive.

WSB-TV reported the “robo call” asked call-takers their opinions of the Democratic primary in Georgia House District 105 between candidates Tim Hur and Renita Hamilton. The District, currently represented by Republican Joyce Chandler, encompasses a large portion of Gwinnett County, including the Dacula, Lawrenceville and Grayson areas.

One woman told the TV station, the mid-April call “asked if I would vote for an Asian businessman or Africa-American swim mom” and asked her to identify her race. It also identified the two Democrats, she said.

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Upset callers also reported the robo calls to Black Woman for Obama, which had planned a Thursday rally at Rhodes Jordan Park in Lawrenceville to protest.

Neither candidate said they were behind the calls, according to WSB.  Hur issued a statement, saying, in part, “It is my understanding that a Republican firm conducted the poll … Clearly, the poll was designed as a wedge to divide voters in the May 20 Primary Election.”

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It was not immediately known who was responsible for the calls.

Read the rest of WSB’s report here


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