Elections 2016
Georgia Co. chairman refuses to resign: 'I was coerced' to say a 'bunch of blacks' ruin government
October 3, 2016 12:48PM ET
Douglas County Commission Chairman Tom Worthan (Twitter/screen grab)
A Georgia county chairman said on Monday that he would not resign after he was caught making racist remarks on video.
A cell phone recording made by Georgia resident Mark Dodd captured Douglas County Commission Chairman Tom Worthan complaining about several African-American candidates.
"Well, do you know of another government that's more black that's successful? They bankrupt you," he told Dodd, adding a warning that sheriff's candidate Tim Pounds "would put a bunch of blacks in leadership positions."
"I'd be afraid he'd put his black brothers in positions that maybe they're not qualified to be in," Worthan said.
At a county meeting on Monday, a defiant Worthan said that he was "coerced into saying it," according to CBS 46 reporter Christian De La Rosa.
"I will tell you, I will not step down," Worthan insisted. "Over 27,000 people elected me to lead this county. I will continue to lead this county. I will continue to stay in the race."
Watch video of Worthan below.