Republican drops Assembly bid amidst Twitter controversy

Dorsey apologized for comment on gay people he tweeted in December

JANESVILLE, Wis. — A Republican candidate for the state Assembly has dropped his campaign after remarks on Twitter he acknowledged were hurtful.

The Janesville Gazette reported that Jacob Dorsey told the paper he was ending his campaign against Rep. Deb Kolste, D-Janesville, in the 44th District.

Dorsey, 19, apologized last week for a comment on gay people he posted on Twitter in December. The Gazette reported Dorsey had acknowledged other inappropriate posts on social media sites, including derogatory terms for gay people and black people in videos on YouTube.

The Gazette said Dorsey issued a statement saying he decided to withdraw due to “insensitive remarks” that had surfaced from his past. He said he plans to pursue a college degree. On Wednesday, his Twitter account appeared to have been deleted.