Donald Trump Campaign Chair In Ohio: There Was No Racism Before Obama

Donald Trump's campaign chair in an important Ohio county resigned Thursday after she said there was no racism in the United States before President Obama took office.

Kathy Miller, who runs Trump's campaign in Mahoning County, Ohio, told the Guardian in a video interview, "If you’re black and you haven’t been successful in the last 50 years, it’s your own fault. You’ve had every opportunity, it was given to you."

She said low black voter turnout may be because of how "they" were raised.

“I don’t think that’s part of the way they’re raised,” she said. “For us, I mean, that was something we all did in our families, we all voted.”

Miller said she didn't see racism growing up.

“Growing up as a kid, there was no racism, believe me. We were just all kids going to school.”

When asked about segregation and the civil rights movement, she said: “I never experienced it. I never saw that as anything.”

Then, she added: “I don’t think there was any racism until Obama got elected. We never had problems like this. Now, with the people with the guns, and shooting up neighborhoods, and not being responsible citizens, that’s a big change, and I think that’s the philosophy that Obama has perpetuated on America.”

Watch the full interview here.

In a statement Thursday morning, she said her comments were "inappropriate, and I apologize."

"I am not a spokesperson for the campaign and was not speaking on its behalf," Miller's statement continued. "I have resigned as the volunteer campaign chair in Mahoning County and as an elector to the Electoral College to avoid any unnecessary distractions."

Bob Paduchik, the Trump campaign's Ohio director, said county chairs are volunteers who help with organizing. He called Miller's comments "inappropriate."

Trump currently leads Clinton by 2.5 points in Ohio in a 4-way race, according to the latest RealClearPolitics average of major state polls. No Republican has won the presidency without winning Ohio.

Image via the Guardian