Maricopa County attorney candidate apologizes for using racial slur

Robert McWhirter

By Lauren Castle | Arizona Republic

A Democratic candidate running for Maricopa County attorney apologized during a recent forum for using a racial slur while teaching a legal class in 2018.

Several advocacy groups, including Black Lives Matter Metro Phoenix, Mass Liberation Project Arizona, LUCHA, Trans Queer Pueblo and Poder in Action, hosted thevirtual forum on Zoom. Viewers were invited to ask questions and post comments.

Related: Scottsdale Councilman Apologizes to George Floyd’s Family for Mocking ‘I Can’t Breathe

After an attorney brought up the incident in the Zoom comments, Robert McWhirter, a defense attorney, was asked to address what happened.

McWhirter is running against Julie Gunnigle and Will Knight in the Democratic primary in August. The winner will run against current County Attorney Allister Adel in November. 

A Black Lives Matter Metro Phoenix spokesperson, Maricopa County public defender Jamaar Williams, is a campaign organizer for Knight’s campaign. The campaign told The Arizona Republic that Williams had no involvement with the forum and no other staff member has a leadership position with the organizations. 

Mass Liberation Project Arizona moderated the event. The organization did not respond to The Republic’s multiple requests for an interview. 

What did McWhirter say?

READ ON:

Share this!

Additional Articles

Top master-planned communities for 2024

By AZ Big Media Here are the Top 10 master-planned communities in Arizona, based on public voting for the 2024 edition of Ranking Arizona, the state’s biggest and most comprehensive business opinion poll. Ranking Arizona

Read More »
News Categories

Get Our Twice Weekly Newsletter!

* indicates required

Rose Law Group pc values “outrageous client service.” We pride ourselves on hyper-responsiveness to our clients’ needs and an extraordinary record of success in achieving our clients’ goals. We know we get results and our list of outstanding clients speaks to the quality of our work.