The president of the Hunt County Democrats has criticized the congressman’s actions, suggesting he’s avoiding his constituents.
COLLIN COUNTY, Texas — Rep. Keith Self has been making headlines after a heated exchange during a House subcommittee hearing in Washington, D.C., and at town hall meetings in his district.
The latest development is a postponed town hall, known as Koffee with Keith, after the congressman said there has been a surge of threats directed at him and his staff.
“This is as bad as I have ever heard on anything that I’ve done in Congress,” Self said referring to the latest messages they’ve received by phone and social media.
At a town hall last week in Wylie, a large crowd voiced their displeasure with the congressman. The crowds chanted, “Vote you out,” and “Do your job,” at several points in the town hall.
Self told WFAA that he wasn’t bothered by the showing in Wylie and said he comes to expect it being in his position. However, he said the vitriol he’s received lately in advance of the town hall in Greenville was different.
Self shared a message he’d received on Facebook Messenger that read, “A good person will put multiple rounds in your chest so you can’t hurt anymore people.” Rep. Self reported that he and his staff have received hundreds of threats, which have been forwarded to the police.
In light of these threats, Self postponed his Saturday Koffee with Keith event, calling out what he described as the “vile and hateful left.” He added, “The buck stops here. I made the final decision.”
Larry Davis, president of the Hunt County Democrats, has criticized Self’s actions, suggesting he’s avoiding his constituents. “He didn’t want to face the heat,” Davis said.
The tension comes after a controversial exchange at a House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee, where Self referred to Rep. Sarah McBride, the first openly transgender member of Congress, as “Mr. McBride.” When asked if he regretted his remarks, Self responded, “He is a man. He’s free to live his life as he chooses, but I don’t have to participate in that charade.”
Davis believes Self’s behavior is part of a larger pattern and problem, saying, “The list just goes on and on and on. It’s a scary time for a lot of people. He was elected to represent us. Not Donald Trump or Elon Musk.”
Despite the backlash, Self plans to reschedule the Greenville town hall, hoping time will settle things.
