Republicans Ponder Ousting Skinhead From Committee
The Luzerne County Republican Committee is researching whether it can oust Steve Smith, a Pittston committeeman with a criminal record and past ties to racist organizations, Committee Chairman Terry Casey said Monday.
Casey also issued a statement denouncing Smith’s “abhorrent views” and criticizing reports and comments about Smith’s election by the Pennsylvania Democratic Party and Democratic-affiliated media. Smith, 41, was elected to the Republican committee with one write-in vote from the April 24 primary election.
Smith confirmed Monday he voted for himself, adding he wants to serve on the committee to help elect Republican candidates. He scoffed at the talk about removing him from the committee.
“That’s against the Constitution,” Smith said. “That’s against free speech.”
Smith said he is no longer affiliated with the Keystone State Skinheads and Keystone United, adding he is the founder of his latest organization, the European American Action Coalition. He said he is an advocate for white Americans, not a white supremacist.
“That’s a bunch of name-calling the liberals do,” Smith said. “I have made mistakes, and I am moving on.”
Smith said media accounts about his 2003 arrest were incorrect, adding he did not beat up a black man with stones and chunks of pavement.
