Former Washington gubernatorial candidate Loren Culp may face expulsion from a state law enforcement association due to his social media posts referring to female lawmakers as “bitches.”
Recently, Rep. Jacquelin Maycumber, a Republican, made an announcement about her candidacy for the 5th Congressional District. In response, Loren Culp, the former police chief of Republic, expressed his dissatisfaction, stating, “We are the only ones who can inform the people of the 5th District about this deceitful individual.”
The post received backlash from different people, including Rep. Travis Couture, R-Allyn, who criticized it, stating that “only a loser uses such language to demean women, and only a coward does so anonymously online.”
Loren fired back at Couture, stating, “These bitches aren’t limited to just females. Travis S. Couture is also a bitch, so how does that make you feel?”
In a letter written on Wednesday, President Kevin Morris and Executive Director Steve Strachan of the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs expressed their disapproval of the posts, deeming them as “unbecoming” of a WASPC member. According to the bylaws of WASPC, a member can face expulsion if eight board members vote in favor of it. The letter gives Loren a chance to respond before the expulsion vote takes place.
Loren took to X, formerly known as Twitter, on Thursday to express their frustration, stating that it seems like free speech is not allowed. They wondered if it could be because their speech goes against the endorsed candidate of the platform, suggesting that this could simply be an excuse.
In the post, he also questions whether he should surrender his freedom of speech, which the authorities have pledged to safeguard. He contemplates whether he should yield because he feels weak or refuse to comply and dismiss their behavior as petty.
During the 2020 election, Loren competed against Gov. Jay Inslee and unfortunately lost by a margin of 56.6% to 43.1%. Disputing the results, Loren alleged fraud and proceeded to file a lawsuit against then-Secretary of State Kim Wyman approximately five weeks after the election.
