Westmoreland Commissioner Kertes criticized for comments at Trump rally in Murrysville
Share this post:
About two dozen Westmoreland County residents criticized county commissioner’s Chairman Sean Kertes Thursday for comments he made during a political rally last weekend they claim denigrated the county’s younger population.
“Here you are Sean Kertes, sowing division based on age, economic standing, race and political affiliation. I get it … you were at a Trump rally where hate and fear are popular,” said Eileen Krynock of Washington Township.
Several individuals spoke against Kertes’ comments in person at the commissioners’ meeting, while more than a dozen more comments were submitted online and read into the record at the public meeting.
The critics referred to a Tribune-Review article Saturday on the opening of a Trump re-election office in Murrysville.
The article quoted Kertes as criticizing young people participating in violent protests.
“(Young people) are not out trying to better themselves, they’re not out there trying to work or do right in society…. They’re rioting, they’re burning things down, they’re trying to just make a point that they want things for free in life,” Kertes told the Trump supporters.
“I raised three daughters in Westmoreland County. All of them have moved to Allegheny County and one is a scientist, one is an engineer and one a writer, still in school,” Krynock said.
“They worry about the future. They think about other people and how they can help make all our lives better,” she said.
She said Kertes should respect young peoples’ concern for justice “and their right to Freedom of Speech.”
Another speaker, Courtney Kubovcik of Jeannette, challenged Kertes to point out “the violent protests” that occurred in Westmoreland.
Kertes defended himself saying the quote “simply took out of contest a statement that I gave where I was obviously not talking about all young people.”
At age 33, he noted that he is the second youngest commission chairman in the county’s history and made the “important role that our younger population has in making Westmoreland County a better place” a foundation of his campaign in 2019.
“I was talking about young people who, instead of working hard for what they want, they choose to loot, riot and burn private property. I called out those who choose to incite crime and violence,” Kertes said.
He said he will continue to work to provide young people with opportunities in the future.
Adding he thought it was “wonderful” that so many people in the county felt so strongly about the issue to engage him during a public forum.
“You are obviously passionate about your community and the fact that you are here bodes well for the future of Westmoreland County,” Kertes said.
Commissioner Doug Chew also defended Kertes.
“It’s very hard to speak ad hoc in a way that statements can’t be taken out of context. The Commissioner Kertes I know was the only one in the 2019 primary to offer solutions to keep young people in Westmoreland County,” Chew said.