As 60-plus members of a wide variety of faith communities (Jews, Christians, Muslims, Buddhists and others) who are residents of Iowa’s 4th congressional district, we condemn the recent actions and statements by Steve King, particularly in the wake of Saturday’s shooting at Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life synagogue. The Pittsburgh murderer was motivated by anti-immigrant and anti-Semitic rhetoric. Steve King espouses similar ideas and associates himself with others who share them. He bears some responsibility for inciting the kind of hatred that led to last week’s horrific violence.

King has a long history of making inflammatory comments. Just two weeks ago he endorsed a self-proclaimed white nationalist for mayor of Toronto. In August, he accepted funds for a trip to Poland from an organization whose mission is to educate lawmakers about the Holocaust. Right after visiting Auschwitz, the infamous Nazi extermination camp, he went to Austria for an interview with a far-right propaganda site with ties to a nationalist group with Nazi origins. This juxtaposition demonstrates a depth of callousness that is hard to fathom. In that interview, he parroted white supremacist talking points and criticized the Jewish philanthropist, George Soros, a target of one of last week’s pipe bombs and frequent focus of anti-Semitic conspiracy theories. King cannot refute charges of anti-Semitism by claiming to be a supporter of Israel while associating with a racist, xenophobic movement that includes anti-Semites and Holocaust deniers.

We call on King’s donors, particularly Warren Buffett of Berkshire Hathaway and its subsidiary Mid-American Energy Company; AT&T; and the American Bankers Association to follow the lead of Intel and withdraw their funding from this candidate.

King needs to acknowledge his role in encouraging hate. We believe a candidate who espouses these abhorrent views should no longer represent Iowa on either the national, or international, stage.

Signed by:

Barbara and John Pleasants, Ames

Leslie and Steve Kawaler, Ames

Sandra and George McJimsey, Ames

Waddah Akili, Ames

Reverend Eileen Gebbie

Glenn and Evelyn Beavers, Ames

Ellen Sarlat, Madrid

Omana Sebastian, Ames

Joseph Putherikal, Ames

Eve and Josh Zelinsky, Ames

I. Pour-El, Ames

Paul Sacks, Ames

Megan and Jeff Rosenberg, Hampton

Winnie and Mark Gleason, Ames

Sue and Thad Stanton, Ames

Susan and Ron Jackson, Ames

Marsha and Marty Miller, Ames

Herbert Fromm, Ames

Sedahlia and Ike Crase, Ames

Teresa and Ralph Rosenberg, Ames

Ellen and Dave Arkovich, Ames

Amy Rutenberg, Ames

Jeremy Best, Ames

Melissa J. Blacketer, Ames

Larry Naylor, Ames

Jo Anne Powell, Ames

Karen & Jim Bolluyt, Ames

Karol Crosbie, Ames

David Stuart, Ames

Carol & Ted Bailey, Ames

Nick Osness & Maura Peglar, Ames

Mary Richards, Ames

Bronwyn Frame and Giancarlo Moschino, Ames

Ellen Rasmussen, Ames

Greta Levis, Ames

John Levis, Ames

Valerie Williams, Ames

Barbara and Bruce Munson, Ames

Linda Lieberman, Ames

Susan Jarnagin, Ames

Kathleen Johnston, Ames

David Hoffman, Ames

Jackie Manatt, Ames

Paul and Marsha Readhead, Ames