An aide to a mayoral hopeful in Bayonne, N.J. sent racist messages to a volunteer from a rival campaign, NJ.com reported.
Peter Franco, a top operative in Republican Anthony Zanowic's campaign, sent racist and offensive text messages and Facebook messages to a volunteer for Mayor Mark Smith's campaign, 21-year-old Demetrius Terry.
Franco, 30, began attacking Terry on Facebook on Feb. 20, where he wrote that the Smith volunteer should "keep your p**** as(s) in Jersey City."
Their exchange then turned to a phone conversation, where Terry explained to Franco that he is volunteering with Smith because they are both graduates of Marist High School.
"Stay out of the race," Franco texted back. "Last warning."
Terry responded that he would report the threat, to which Franco encouraged him to do.
"You have the audacity to bring your ghetto Jersey City ass into Bayonne talking about we are moving forward under Mark Smith," Franco texted.
"Now being a racist calling me ghetto because I am African-American. The media will get this. Have a nice day," Terry responded.
Franco continued to respond, defending his use of the word "ghetto" which he said "has nothing to do with being African American."
Zanowic could not be reached for comment from NJ.com. However, Franco said he and Terry have had a feud that "predates" their most recent conversation.
"This kid claims he's an LGBT advocate and stuff like that," Franco said. "I'm pretty active within the LGBT community. I kind of find it offensive how he proclaims himself an advocate."
In a text message sent to a reporter later, he allegedly said he was sorry "if Mr. Terry truly interpreted my language of 'ghetto in JC' as something racially charged."
