GOP chapter rescinds invitation to candidate who sent threatening tweet about Yarmuth

The Scott County Republican Party has rescinded its invitation for Carl Nett to speak Tuesday evening, just hours after he tweeted that he would like to use Democratic Congressman John Yarmuth as target practice.

In a statement, the group labeled Nett's tweet as "beyond reprehensible" and called on him to apologize to Yarmuth. They added that thee are no plans to invite him to any future events in Scott County. The county is adjacent to Franklin County, home to Frankfort, the state's capitol.

"While we may have many differences of policy with Congressman Yarmuth, we do not, cannot and will not condone threats of violence against government officials, regardless of whether the intent was in jest or not," the statement said. "Given the attacks on Republican congressmen at the Congressional baseball practice last year, and on Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords in 2012, these types of threats should not be taken lightly."

Nett, a former member of the U.S. Secret Service and Republican candidate for secretary of state, 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."

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A Yarmuth spokesman said that Capitol Police "are aware of this situation." A spokesman for the FBI in Louisville added that they were looking into the matter.

Nett, who deleted his tweet, later responded by saying 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.

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."

Reporters Phillip M. Bailey and Tom Novelly contributed to this report. Justin Sayers: 502-582-4252; jsayers@gannett.com; Twitter: @_JustinSayers. Support strong local journalism by subscribing today: www.courier-journal.com/justins.