RAVENNA, Ohio — Days after making comments about supporters of Vice President Kamala Harris critics have described as hateful, Portage County Sheriff Bruce Zuchowski has finally spoken out, defending his actions and declaring them protected by his right to free speech.
In his initial Facebook post over the weekend, Zuchowski called for people to "write down all the addresses of the people" displaying yard signs for Harris, the Democratic nominee for president. On Tuesday, he posted again, choosing to double down while at the same declaring he is "sworn to protect ALL citizens of my County," regardless of political preference.
"Recently, I placed a post on my personal facebook page that may have been a little misinterpreted??" Zuchowski wrote. "I...as the elected sheriff, do have a first amendment right as do all citizens. If the citizens of Portage County want to elect an individual who has supported open borders (which I've personally visited Twice!) and neglected to enforce the laws of our Country...then that is their prerogative."
The Republican Zuchowski, who is up for reelection this November, also stated, "I am a Law Man...Not a Politician!" He additionally noted what he called "The Overwhelming Support I am receiving from many people in Portage County who are afraid or are Not allowed to agree with me publicly!"
As he did with his previous remarks, Zuchowski restricted who is allowed to comment on his post. While the responses show plenty of people backing him, others 3News has spoken to in recent days don't share the same sentiments.
"It's pretty bad that you sit there and target people you're supposed to be in charge of protecting," Charles Chlysta, a county resident for more than 80 years, told us Tuesday.
"I'm not sure I would feel safe having the sheriff come to my house if I needed help," Charles Burger added.
In his first post, Zuchowski also called Harris a "Flip - Flopping, Laughing Hyena" as he talked about illegal immigration, referring to what he described as "Illegal human 'Locust.'" These comments are not sitting well with a number of residents, who claimed Zuchowski was espousing racist views.
Some are now pushing back by putting up Harris-Walz signs, even though according to Chlysta, "that makes me a target." However, several political leaders are worried Zuchowski's comments are causing voter intimidation.
"It's reprehensible, unethical," Portage County Democratic Party Chair Denise Smith said. "He's crossed the line in the sand."
Jon Barber, this year's Democratic nominee for sheriff, says his opponent Zuchowski should get out in front of this.
"He was elected," Barber noted of Zuchowski's duty to the county. "He raised his hand and he swore to uphold the Constitution of the United States, the Constitution of the State of Ohio."
But most area Republican leaders say, at least publicly, that Zuchowski hasn't done anything wrong. They're standing behind him.
"I talked to the (Ohio) Secretary of State's Office and reached out," Portage County Republican Party Chair Amanda Suffecool said. "They're saying ... it's his First Amendment right to say what he wants to say and that it does not meet the criteria to be voter intimidation."
Indeed, Republican Secretary of State Frank LaRose released a statement saying, "Our office has reviewed the comments and determined they don't violate election laws. The sheriff can speak and answer for himself about the substance of his remarks. We're focused on running an election that begins with military and overseas ballots going out this Friday."
However, other organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio disagree. The chapter's Legal Director Freda Levenson wrote:
"Sheriff Zuchowski has made an impermissible, unconstitutional threat against Portage County residents who wish to engage in protected First Amendment activity. Many have reasonably understood his posts to be a threat of governmental action to punish them for their expressed political beliefs and have been coerced to take down or refrain from putting up a yard sign. The ACLU of Ohio insists that Sheriff Zuchowski right these wrongs and follow the law – as is his duty as an elected official and his role as sheriff."
Levenson later spoke to 3News, telling us in an interview, "The notion that the Portage County sheriff is keeping a list of Harris supporters raises a specter of other forms of official retribution." WKYC has sought to speak with Zuchowski directly multiple times in the past three days, but has not heard back.
Portage County has shifted more towards the GOP in recent years after previously voting for the Democratic presidential nominee in six straight elections from 1992-2012. In 2020, Zuchowski defeated Democratic challenger Greg Johnson by 12 points to become the county's first Republican sheriff in more than a decade.
During an event Wednesday in Cleveland, we asked Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine about the situation. He called Zuchowski's comments "very unfortunate."
"He has the right to go on social media and say what he wants to, but I think it's unfortunate. It's not helpful," DeWine said. "I think (if) the sheriff was focusing on law enforcement, that probably would be a better thing."
DeWine also admitted there have been calls for him to remove Zuchowski from office, but he says he has no power to do so. The governor also does not believe the sheriff's comments constitute such an action.