GOP lawmaker urges people to wear New Balance instead of Nike over Kaepernick deal

Maine Rep. Bruce Poliquin (R) is urging his followers to don New Balance sneakers to take a stand against Nike over its decision to use former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick in its “Just Do It” campaign.

“With Nike hiring Colin Kaepernick, the San Francisco 49ers famed kneeling quarterback, who protest during our national anthem, there has never been a better time to show off your Maine-Made New Balance shoes!” Poliquin told his followers on Facebook on Thursday.

“There are hundreds of your fellow Mainers who make these shoes that no doubt agree,” he added. “Share if you agree too.”

The shoe and apparel manufacturer is based in Boston but has factories in Maine.

{mosads}Poliquin’s remarks arrives as President Trump continues to hammer Nike for the campaign featuring Kaepernick, who was the first to take a knee during the national anthem before games to protest racial inequality and police brutality.

“I don’t like what Nike did. I don’t think it’s appropriate what they did. I honor the flag. I honor our national anthem and most of the people in this country feel the same way. They feel the same way,” Trump said in an interview with “Fox & Friends” that aired Friday morning.

In the new Nike ad, Kaepernick says, “Believe in something, even if it means sacrificing everything.” 

The ad prompted a whirlwind of criticism from conservatives, many of whom destroyed their Nike products on video and vowed to boycott the activewear brand.

“Just like the NFL, whose ratings have gone WAY DOWN, Nike is getting absolutely killed with anger and boycotts,” the president tweeted Wednesday.