Milwaukee Pastor Questions Politicians Dumping White Supremacist Donations

The pastor of an African Methodist Episcopal church in Milwaukee says he questions why Republican presidential hopefuls and other politicians are dumping donations made by a white supremacist.

Gov. Scott Walker, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan and some declared GOP presidential candidates have received thousands of dollars from Earl Holt of the Council of Conservative Citizens. Many of them are now giving away or returning those donations, after it was discovered that the alleged shooter in last week’s killings at a South Carolina church may have learned racist philosophy from the council. Rev. Darryl Williams of St. Mark AME church in Milwaukee said he’s glad Walker and others are giving the money to charity, but questions the motivation.

“Did you do it under duress because you may come under some political fire, or was it an actual genuine motivation?” Williams asked.

Holt gave Walker money as early as 2011, and on one form Holt listed himself as a self-employed “slumlord.” Holt’s group has condemned the South Carolina shootings.