(La Porte County, IN) - A local political figure says Democrats offended by his party’s use of new campaign signs should develop a thicker skin.

 

Recently, La Porte County Commissioner Sheila Matias called the signs a form of “hate speech.”

 

Her face and the face of La Porte County Attorney Shaw Friedman are on the signs stating “Dump Sheila” and “Fire Friedman.” Matias and Friedman are Democrats.

 

La Porte County Republican Party Chairman Al Stevens said describing the signs as a symbol of hate is going too far.

 

“Calling it hate speech is a pretty strong statement, and that seems to be the go-to for the left these days. Anything they don’t like or they don’t agree with is hate speech. It’s time for these snowflakes to toughen up a little bit,” Stevens said.

Stevens said the signs reflect their job performances and why voters should replace them in November.

 

Matias, a former mayor in Michigan City, unseated Republican Connie Gramarossa in 2018 in a close race decided by over 700 votes countywide.

 

Gramarossa, a La Porte County Council member, is attempting to unseat Matias this time.