Stow Mayor Sara Kline took to Facebook on Thursday night to defend her husband, Robert Kline, after he tweeted a string of vulgarities to President Donald Trump that caused an uproar on social media.
“I love my husband very much, but that does not mean I condone what he said,” Mayor Kline told the Beacon Journal after she wrote her post Thursday night. “He has apologized to me and my family for his missteps. It is a family matter which we are dealing with, and it does not reflect what I wish to convey.”
For at least the past week, Robert Kline has responded to tweets from Trump with insults, vulgarities and derogatory comments toward the president and his daughter, Ivanka.
On Friday, Stow City Council President Mike Rasor posted a response to the controversy on his website.
“Residents have asked me to comment. Originally, I did not think a comment was necessary, because it is so obvious that Rob’s posts are outrageous, vile, and perverted. But this has become a major issue, so there should not be any doubt among Stow residents: City Council wholly rejects these tweets,” Rasor wrote.
He also encouraged love and civility in politics, and then he ended his post with Mayor Kline’s apology she wrote to city employees. He said her original post on Facebook was “factually true, but it badly missed the mark.”
His full response can be read at www.mikerasor.com.
By Thursday night, Robert Kline had deleted his Twitter page. Attempts by the Beacon Journal to reach him were unsuccessful.
Following backlash on social media, Sara Kline posted a statement on her Facebook page:
“The 1st Amendment allows people the freedom to express themselves, even when we don’t like what is said, or how it is said. With that in mind, I speak for myself and myself alone. My family members, friends, colleagues all have the right to express themselves. It does not mean I necessarily support or condemn what they have said. I love my family and support my husband and everyone else in my family even if I disagree with their viewpoint or their words.
I wish everyone reading this peace, happiness and much love from your own family and friends!”
Her post was met with plenty of backlash, including comments containing screen grabs of her husband’s tweets.
“Very disappointing message with lack of accountability,” commented Zach Myers.
“See if you get my vote again. Your husband just ruined you,” commented Joel Wilcox of Stow.
Some spoke up in support of the mayor.
“Well said Sara, this hate mongering has to stop,” commented Robert Oborn.
Races for Stow mayor are nonpartisan by city charter. Sara Kline is a registered Democrat.
Theresa Cottom can be reached at 330-996-3216.