Sheriff in Ohio under fire for suggesting recording addresses of those displaying Harris yard signs

In a recent social media post, Ohio Sheriff Bruce Zuchowski stirred up controversy by suggesting that people with Kamala Harris yard signs should have their addresses recorded to accommodate immigrants if the Democrat wins the presidency. The post drew criticism from various good-government groups, labeling it as a threat and calling for its removal.

Zuchowski, a Republican Sheriff currently running for reelection, shared a screenshot of a Fox News segment criticizing President Joe Biden and Vice President Harris for their immigration policies, specifically referencing the impact on communities like Springfield, Ohio, which recently saw an influx of Haitian migrants.

Describing undocumented immigrants as “human locusts,” Zuchowski’s post suggested keeping records of addresses with Harris yard signs to facilitate placing migrants with supportive households, triggering a wave of backlash and complaints from the community.

The Ohio secretary of state and the ACLU of Ohio received formal complaints against Zuchowski, claiming his post constituted an unconstitutional threat and voter intimidation. Even Republican Governor Mike DeWine described the comments as “unfortunate” and “not helpful.”

Following the uproar, Zuchowski defended his remarks as an exercise of free speech but faced calls for retraction and apology from concerned citizens and organizations. Despite the outcry, the Ohio secretary of state’s office declined to take any action, stating that the comments did not violate election laws.

As the controversy unfolded, Zuchowski’s opponent in the upcoming election, Jon Barber, accused the sheriff of undermining public trust in law enforcement through his divisive rhetoric. The League of Women Voters in Portage County also expressed disappointment in the lack of action from officials, raising concerns about the impact on voters and the electoral process.