New York State Democratic Sen. Kevin Parker tweeted — then deleted — instructions to a GOP staffer, telling her “kill yourself” on Tuesday.
It all started with a tweet about a bike lane in New York, blocked by cars allegedly abusing placards to park where they shouldn’t. New York State Senate Majority’s deputy communications director Candice Giove dug a little deeper and claimed that one of the placards belonged to Sen. Parker — but the vehicle was not the same one to which the placard was legally assigned.
Candice Giove@candicegiove
It got to the bottom of this. The placard is assigned to @SenatorParker. However, the license plate # on the placard does not match the vehicle. So he either used it in another car or gave it to someone to use, both of which are not permitted.
Chesney Parks@chesneycheckersThe whole of the 2nd ave bike lane btw 43rd and 44th is blocked by @placardabuse-rs, like this arrogant scofflaw from @NYSenate. Total assholes.
709:26 AM - Dec 18, 2018Twitter Ads info and privacy
Parker responded with the now-deleted tweet instructing Giove to “kill” herself.
Jon Campbell✔@JonCampbellGAN
Oh my word.
1,00710:27 AM - Dec 18, 2018
Amid the backlash, Parker offered an apology after deleting the tweet, conceding that he should not have joked about so serious a topic as suicide.
Did a Senator just write this to me?
Senator Kevin Parker✔@SenatorParker
I sincerely apologize. I used a poor choice of words. Suicide is a serious thing and and should not be made light of.
3611:18 AM - Dec 18, 2018 · Brooklyn, NYTwitter Ads info and privacy
Not long after he apologized, however, Parker went right back to attacking Giove, saying that she was “on the wrong side of history for every important issue facing New York State.” (RELATED: New York State Senator Tries To Clarify ‘White Guys’ Comment)
Where was @Candicegiove when NYers voted for a #Democratic State Senate & progressive legislation like the Dream Act & CFE funding? That’s right, working with the #NOIDC appendage of the GOP. #DreamAct #CFEFunding
1512:15 PM - Dec 18, 2018Twitter Ads info and privacy. @Candicegiove is on the wrong side of history for every important issue facing New York State!
812:21 PM - Dec 18, 2018Twitter Ads info and privacy
In an especially ironic twist, Parker is one of the leading voices on a bill that would require anyone who wanted to legally purchase a firearm to surrender their social media history for review.
Nick Reisman✔@NickReisman
Parker is backing a bill that would have law enforcement review social media history before allowing someone to obtain a firearm
Jon Campbell✔@JonCampbellGANOh my word.
28710:43 AM - Dec 18, 2018Twitter Ads info and privacy
Parker hasn’t said whether that review would include deleted tweets.