Maryland’s House speaker has removed a white lawmaker from a leadership position for using a racial slur for black people.
Delegate Mary Ann Lisanti apologized Tuesday morning to the House Democratic Caucus for using the slur, which was first reported by The Washington Post. The Post reported that Lisanti told a white colleague in late January at Annapolis Cigar that when he campaigned last fall in House District 26 in Prince George’s County on behalf of a candidate, he was knocking on doors in a “n—– district.”
Today, House Speaker Michael Busch stripped her of a leadership assignment.
“This morning, Delegate Mary Ann Lisanti apologized to the House Democratic Caucus for her use of the n-word. While I believe her apology was heartfelt, the damage among her colleagues and the public has been done,” Busch said in a statement. “I met with her this morning and expressed my extreme disappointment and concern over her irresponsible and hurtful actions.”
Lisanti also apologized to leaders of the state’s Legislative Black Caucus on Monday.
