State Representative Alma Hernandez (D-20) condemned previous remarks made by her Democratic primary opponent for the Arizona State Senate, Rocque Perez, in a recent social media thread, writing, "Violent rhetoric has no place in our politics. None."
As Tucson.com reported, Perez previously seemed to tell an X user to kill their conservative family members in a 2020 direct message, which read, "So kill them, do your duty baby girl."
In other examples, he responded to a post made by Ivanka Trump by writing, "Someone throw this b---- off the capitol building roof please." He also allegedly advocated for a female conservative activist to be beaten, writing, "How has she not gotten beat yet? like... hath no one the bravery to literally hurt her cause... ??" He is also accused of seemingly considering "ending" a "vapid white girl" in a Zoom class meeting with him.
Notably, Perez told the Arizona Republic that he was aware of the potential for these past quotes to be dredged up, yet claimed he would not be questioned "if this was any other 19, 20-year-old at the time."
Perez is also accused of having an OnlyFans account through which he posted videos of himself, though this remains unverified.
State Rep. Hernandez ripped this apparent refusal to accept accountability in her recent X thread, writing, "Violent rhetoric has no place in our politics. None. Not from R's, not from D's, and not from anyone seeking to represent this community. Tucson knows the consequences of political violence all too well. I am appalled by my opponent @Rocqueperez behavior."
"These were not harmless jokes or old comments taken out of context," State Rep. Hernandez continued, adding, "The posts included explicit porn content he posted himself, disturbing rhetoric, and statements promoting political violence against real people. He was a grown adult when he made these choices."
The Tucson-area representative concluded with a call for those who have endorsed Perez to retract their endorsements, writing, "My opponent's actions are unbecoming of an elected official and disqualifying for someone seeking a seat in the State Senate. This also raises an important question: will the Tucson City Council members & Pima County Attorney hosting a fundraiser for him today continue standing. by this abhorrent behavior, or will they rescind their endorsements? District 20 deserves leadership people can trust, and I remain committed to providing exactly that."
