The New York Republican State Committee has disbanded the New York State Young Republicans following the release of leaked online messages containing racist, antisemitic, and violent language from several of the organization’s leaders.
The decision came after a unanimous vote by the committee’s executive members on Friday, October 17th. Party Chair Ed Cox explained that the move followed “a report of a group chat that included racist and antisemitic language on the part of leadership.” He emphasized that “vile language of the sort made in the group chat has no place in our party or its subsidiary organizations.”
Earlier in the week, Politico published thousands of leaked messages exchanged among Young Republican leaders from multiple states, including New York, Kansas, Arizona, and Vermont. The messages revealed slurs against racial and religious groups, comments joking about rape, and references to Nazi imagery. Some members discussed placing political opponents in gas chambers, while others mocked sexual assault and used homophobic and racist epithets.
Those implicated included Peter Giunta, the then-chair of the New York State Young Republicans; Bobby Walker, who served as vice chair; and other state leaders. Giunta and Walker have since issued public apologies, with Walker acknowledging that “the language is wrong and hurtful” and pledging to “move forward with greater care, respect, and accountability.”
The leaked conversations also prompted condemnation from across the political spectrum. Democratic leaders, including Governor Kathy Hochul and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, joined Republicans such as Representatives Elise Stefanik and Mike Lawler in denouncing the comments. Lawler described the remarks as “indefensible and unacceptable.”
Cox confirmed that the suspension of the group’s authorization allows the state GOP to reorganize and install new leadership. The party’s leadership reiterated that the behavior uncovered in the messages contradicts the values of the organization.
