(JTA) — Opponents working to unseat the Texas’ Jewish House speaker reportedly have suggested in e-mails and newsletters that challengers should be "Christians and true Conservatives."
The e-mails circulating recently that oppose Joe Straus, a Republican from San Antonio, in the race for the state House of Representatives post "emphasize his Judaism," the Dallas Morning News reported Wednesday.
One mentions Straus’ rabbi, saying that “Joe Straus is pro-abortion. In fact, his rabbi sits on the board of San Antonio Planned Parenthood.”
“Those engaged in campaigning or advocating for candidates for Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives should refrain from appeals based on religion. The decision should be based upon a candidate’s qualifications, not his or her religion," said Anti Defamation League Southwest Regional Director Martin B. Cominsky.
"Calls for the next speaker to be a Christian are offensive, inappropriate, and inconsistent with the U.S. Constitution’s prohibition on any religious test for public office. We urge the Texas Legislature to categorically reject calls for a Christian Texas House Speaker, and to publicly denounce efforts to inject religion into the race.”
The vote for speaker takes place in 10 weeks.
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