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John Paul Rogers, a current district commissioner and former Florida Grand Dragon with the United Klans of America; which used to be the largest Ku Klux Klan group in America.
Mike Carter is running against Rogers. Only current commissioners can run for mayor. Carter says Rogers past is a “black eye” on the community.
“Mr. Rogers has a past that has been below the surface for a longtime,” said Carter.
Community activist Clinton Horne says Rogers may have hidden his past when he ran for commission three years ago but that’s not going to work now.
“People kept asking why doesn’t he denounce his former activity with the United Klans of America and he refused to denounce it,” said Horne.
Even though Rogers left the Klan three decades ago, local NAACP president David Smith says the wound is much too deep.
“To be on commission is hurtful but to run for mayor where he would represent the black people along with other residents is really heartbreaking because he’s representing people he has had his foot on for 50 years. He cannot represent me,” said Smith.
FOX 35 reached out to Rogers for this story. He said he was too busy to meet with them but told them by phone the media has blown this out of proportion. When asked if he regretted his time in the Klan he said he did not but said he didn’t condone violent acts, is not a violent person and does not condone racism.
The election is April 5
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