Dem Staffer Caught Saying The Quiet Part Out Loud About The Border [WATCH]

A staffer working for the campaigns of two Ohio Democrats, Senator Sherrod Brown, and Congresswoman Emilia Sykes, was recorded making controversial remarks on immigration, sparking backlash from Republicans and conservative groups.

In a video first reported by Ohio.news, the staffer, identified as Kevin Oyakawa, called for open borders and referred to those advocating for stricter immigration policies as “racist.”

“Open the f—ing border, I don’t give a s— who comes in here,” Oyakawa reportedly stated in a conversation with a volunteer earlier this month.

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He went on to argue that discussing immigration reform is a “losing issue” for Democrats in Ohio solely due to “people’s pure racism.”

BREAKING: Dem staffer Kevin Oyakawa, who works for Sen. Sherrod Brown and Rep. Emilia Sykes, accused Ohioans of “pure racism” over border security stance.

In a tirade, he demanded open borders, saying, “Open the f**king border, I don’t give a sh*t who comes in here.”… pic.twitter.com/9jRluat7GK

— Defiant L’s (@DefiantLs) October 26, 2024

According to Oyakawa’s since-deleted LinkedIn profile, he was serving as a regional organizing director with the Ohio Democratic Party, supporting Brown’s and Sykes’ campaigns in Summit and Stark counties.

Oyakawa’s comments have triggered criticism from the Republican candidates opposing Brown and Sykes in Ohio’s high-stakes midterm races.

Reagan McCarthy, communications director for Republican Senate candidate Bernie Moreno, accused Ohio Democrats of prioritizing open borders over community safety. “Sherrod Brown’s staff is saying the quiet part out loud: Ohio Democrats would rather keep the border open and continue to allow millions of illegals to enter our nation rather than secure the border and protect our communities,” McCarthy told Fox News.

Kevin Coughlin, a former Ohio state senator running against Sykes in Ohio’s 13th Congressional District, also condemned the remarks, accusing Sykes’ campaign of supporting policies that endanger Ohio communities. “Ohioans are already aware of Emilia Sykes’ dangerous open border policies, and now we see what she and her team support behind closed doors,” Coughlin said. “It’s bad enough that Ohio communities are suffering from fentanyl and crime flowing over our borders, but her team has no remorse.”

Both campaigns have faced ongoing scrutiny over their immigration policies.

Let me introduce you to Kevin Oyakawa, Democrat Staffer for @SenSherrodBrown and @EmiliaSykesOH pic.twitter.com/aFRWcUlTPi

— The Older Millennial (@teameffujoe) October 26, 2024

In a statement to Fox News, Sykes’ campaign countered, highlighting her support for bipartisan legislation on border security. “Congresswoman Emilia Sykes has worked to deliver increased funding to help secure our border and stop the flow of illegal drugs like fentanyl. She also co-sponsored the bipartisan Dignity Act that would address border security and infrastructure,” the statement read.

Meanwhile, Brown’s campaign spokesperson, Matt Keyes, stated that Brown supports bipartisan measures to strengthen border security and curb the flow of illegal drugs. “Sherrod supports the bipartisan border security bill backed by border patrol agents and has worked with both parties to secure our southern border and keep Ohioans safe from fentanyl by cracking down on the chemical suppliers in China and drug cartels in Mexico,” Keyes said.

The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) joined in the criticism, with spokesperson Mike Marinella asserting that Sykes “has gone to great lengths to lie to voters about her dangerous open border record.” He added that Sykes “should be ashamed of her team and apologize immediately.”

The races involving both Brown and Sykes are considered pivotal in the upcoming election. Brown, seeking another term in the Senate, faces Moreno in a contest marked as a “toss-up” by the Cook Political Report, with polls showing the two candidates in a close battle.

Sykes, a freshman representative, won her district by a narrow margin in 2022 and now faces a competitive re-election in an area that former President Donald Trump won in 2020.

The Cook Political Report currently rates her race as “Lean Democrat.”

As the campaigns approach Election Day, immigration remains a key issue in Ohio, with candidates on both sides emphasizing border security.

Republican candidates are seizing on the latest remarks from Oyakawa to highlight what they argue is a divergence between Democratic candidates’ public positions and the views expressed by their campaign staff.

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