Kentucky Republican candidate suggests shooting Congressman John Yarmuth over NRA stance

A Republican candidate for Kentucky secretary of state apologized after being pummeled by a national backlash after he tweeted Tuesday that he would like to use Democratic Congressman John Yarmuth as target practice.

Carl Nett, a former member of the U.S. Secret Service, who said he worked under contract with the CIA, according to his campaign page, was responding to a tweet from Yarmuth who was bragging about his F grade from the National Rifle Association.

Yarmuth said he is asking colleagues to join him in wearing a button with the F rating on it every day until "the GOP finally stands up to the gun lobby and helps us pass common-sense gun safety legislation. Find me to get a pin."

"Move it over just a bit," Nett tweeted. "I was trained center mass."

Hours after being condemned by multiple leaders, including of his own party, Nett said he recognized that his, "attempt to be clever was far from clever," particularly in the context of politically motivated acts of violence against elected officials such as U.S. Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky.

"I now join the long list of imperfect human beings with 'foot-in-mouth' disease," Nett said. "Once again, I apologize to Congressman Yarmuth and his family and ask for their forgiveness."

Yarmuth's office said late Tuesday that the congressman did accept the apology.

Earlier, a Yarmuth spokesman told Courier Journal in the wake of Republican Congressman Steve Scalise's shooting last year that Capitol Police "have directed officers to be diligent in reporting all threats to members' safety. They are aware of this situation.”

David Habich, a spokesman for FBI Louisville, said they are also looking into the matter. 

"FBI Louisville is aware of the tweet and is working with our law enforcement partners to determine the best course of action," Habich said. "The FBI takes seriously all threats of violence."

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Nett, who deleted his tweet, initially responded by pointing out how he protected many Democrats as a federal agent and that he would die for politicians he disagreed with.

"Friends, I protected Barack Obama, John Kerry, John Edwards, Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton, and Bill Clinton," Nett later tweeted. "I voted for none of them. I would have DIED for any of them. My oath is to the Constitution. ALL politicians should keep that oath, first and foremost."

Nett did not return a request for comment left by phone. A Courier Journal reporter visited Nett's home, but no one answered.

In a December 2016 tweet obtained by Courier Journal, Nett said that he only protected former President Obama a few times "then bailed."

"I'm not a bullet sponge for just anybody," Nett tweeted.

Yarmuth, who lives in Louisville, has been an outspoken critic of Gov. Matt Bevin and President Donald Trump and their positions on gun control in the wake of numerous school shootings. 

"Trump should be providing some leadership," Yarmuth told Courier Journal last month. "If you’re for gun policy or not, he should be saying we need to look at every possible solution to gun violence.”

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Nett briefly served as a campaign spokesman for Louisville mayoral candidate Angela Leet's campaign last year. In a tweet, Leet, a Republican, distanced herself from Nett's message.

"Mr. Nett was never on staff for the campaign — he volunteered before staff was hired. He has not been involved since deciding to run for office," she said. "We do not condone threats or violence."

Nett is vying to be Kentucky secretary of state in 2019, an office that oversees the state's elections and business filings. He was roundly condemned by Republicans and Democrats for his tweet, however.

"Carl Nett’s comment about shooting Rep. John Yarmuth is not only alarming but terribly offensive given the numerous shootings including one in Great Mills, Maryland today," Kentucky Democratic Party Chairman Ben Self said in a statement. "Nett, a current Republican candidate for secretary of state and campaign contributor to Gov. Matt Bevin, is obviously unfit to be elected for or hold any Kentucky office. Any threats of violence cannot be tolerated in our current political or public forums."

GOP spokesman Tres Watson also slammed Nett's comments as unacceptable. 

"We believe the tweet was inappropriate," Watson said in a statement. "We condemn any suggestion of violence against public servants, even if in jest." 

House Speaker Pro Tem David Osborne also spoke out against Nett later Tuesday, saying the comment showed that "our politics have become far too divisive."

“Today’s comments suggesting possible violence against a member of Congress over political differences are emblematic of that divisive culture, and I wholeheartedly condemn them," he said. "It is long past time for members of both parties to come together in a civil manner, and do the people’s work without name calling or threatening violence.”

Kathryn M. Stocks, Scott County GOP Chair, sent out a statement Tuesday as well, saying the organization does not condone threats of violence.

"Originally, Mr. Nett had been scheduled to speak to the regular monthly meeting of the Scott County Republican Party this evening. That invitation has now been rescinded and there are no plans to offer another," her statement said in part. "We call on Mr. Nett to publicly apologize to Congressman Yarmuth immediately."

Michael Adams, an attorney, is also running for the Republican nomination for secretary of state. He took to Twitter to rebuke his primary opponent's comments as "not only morally wrong, but embarrassing for the Republican Party, and Kentucky."

Reporter Phillip M. Bailey can be reached at 502-582-4475 or 502-582-4475. Support strong local journalism by subscribing today: www.courier-journal.com/philb. Thomas Novelly can be reached at 502-216-1249 or by email at tnovelly@courier-journal.com.