Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) on Tuesday blasted Albany newspaper The Times Union for referring to her as “childless,” calling the characterization “truly heinous and wildly inappropriate.”
The Times Union published a fictional blog post titled “Storytime with Elise Stefanik” on Sunday meant to satirically mock the congresswoman, written as though she were reading to a group of children.
“I myself am childless because I am a rising star in the Republican Party, and family planning is possible by way of the contraception paid for by my excellent taxpayer-provided healthcare plan,” reads one line in the highly critical piece written by Peter Marino and Lale Davidson.
Stefanik and her husband, Matt Manda, released a statement on Tuesday demanding the post be taken down.
“As a young married couple, we have developed a thick skin over many years as we have become accustomed to repeated sexist smears in media coverage. However the Times Union’s decision to publish an article that mocked us as ‘childless’ is a new low and is truly heinous and wildly inappropriate,” they wrote.
“We not only require a complete retraction, but we also demand an immediate public apology and explanation as to how this was published to be in the Times Union and who will be held responsible and accountable.”
Part of Stefanik and Manda’s demands appears to have been met. Links to the piece currently lead to a blank web page that says, “This site has been archived or suspended.” The Hill has reached out to the newspaper for comment.
Stefanik has faced a barrage of criticism in the past few weeks for her objection to certifying President-elect Joe Biden’s Electoral College victory. More than a hundred GOP House lawmakers objected to certifying the election results. Their objections have been blamed for contributing to the deadly Jan. 6 Capitol riot.
Stefanik’s alma mater, Harvard University, removed her from an advisory committee for its Institute of Politics due to her claims of election fraud that had “no basis in evidence.”
Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.), whom Stefanik has reportedly been looking to replace as House Republican Conference chairwoman, came to Stefanik’s defense on Twitter.
Cheney was one of 10 GOP House lawmakers who voted to impeach Trump. Her actions have led many in her party to call for her removal from House leadership.
“This is despicable and sexist. @EliseStefanik deserves praise for serving her constituents and our country. Our nation depends upon us to have civil policy debates without descending into heartless personal attacks,” Cheney wrote on Twitter Tuesday.