The New York GOP voted on Friday to dissolve the Young Republicans chapter after disturbing messages from its leadership emerged.
Peter Giunta, the former chairman of the New York State Young Republicans, controversially stated in a group chat that he “loves Hitler,” and suggested that anyone who voted “no” on his candidacy for chair of the Young Republican National Federation should “go to the gas chamber.”
Another member, Joe Maligno, a former general counsel for the Young Republicans, inquired about the possibility of “fixing the showers,” adding that “gas chambers don’t fit the Hitler aesthetic.”
The remarks drew widespread condemnation, including from the state party and potential gubernatorial candidate Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY).
State party chairman Ed Cox issued a statement saying, “Today, the Executive Committee of the New York Republican State Committee unanimously voted to suspend authorization of the New York State Young Republicans following a report of a group chat that included racist and antisemitic language on the part of leadership,” as reported by the Washington Examiner.
Cox also criticized the organization for being “grossly mismanaged,” stating, “The Young Republicans was already grossly mismanaged, and vile language of the sort made in the group chat has no place in our party or its subsidiary organizations.” He further accused Democrats of tolerating antisemitic rhetoric within their ranks.
Cox took aim at Governor Kathy Hochul (D-NY) for failing to hold accountable those in her party who have made antisemitic remarks, asserting, “Not only did Kathy Hochul not condemn such behavior, she endorses racist and anti-Semitic candidates for elected office.”
In a letter to Hayden Padgett, chairman of the National Federation of Young Republicans, Cox announced the disbandment of the New York Young Republicans but left open the possibility of future reconstitution. “Moving forward the New York State Young Republicans shall be suspended and it is the hope of the New York Republican State Committee that it can be reconstituted at a later date,” he wrote.
The New York State Young Republicans’ website still appears on Google but redirects users elsewhere, suggesting it may have been taken down.
Other Young Republicans members also made comments in the group chat, including William Hendrix, vice chair of the Kansas Young Republicans, which has also been disbanded.
Hochul Critiques Stefanik Over Young Republicans Text Scandal
Governor Hochul’s campaign previously leveraged the Young Republicans incident to criticize Stefanik, who referred to Young Republicans as the “backbone of our party.” Hochul’s Communications Director Sarafina Chitika stated, “These are her people who said ‘I love Hitler’ and named her their congresswoman of the year – an award she still hasn’t returned. Stefanik’s silence tells New Yorkers where she stands and who she stands with,” as reported by the Washington Examiner.
