On Friday, Arizona State Representative Alma Hernandez accused her colleague Rep. Brian Fernandez of insulting her behind her back.
Fernandez says the allegations outlined in a letter Hernandez released publicly are false.
In that letter, Hernandez accuses Fernandez of calling her “a ‘fat f***’ and saying “that he ‘hates me’” on multiple occasions while with lobbyists and elected officials.
Misogyny and sexism have no place in the Arizona Legislature. What @BrianSFernandez did is wrong and not representative of our Democratic Party. We are a party where women are respected. @azdemparty #azleg pic.twitter.com/FLLjrJiRGb
— (((Rep.Alma Hernandez))) (@almaforarizona) September 16, 2022
“Look, I am clearly not everyone’s particular cup of tea. But I work hard for my constituents and serve my Party to the best of my ability every single day,” Hernandez wrote. “However, when someone seeks to attack a female colleague using such clearly disgusting language, I have to take a stand and say this is NOT okay and I would expect the same from all of you.”
Hernandez took a pot shot at Fernandez in another tweet, implying that he was only in office due to his mother, former State Rep. Charlene Fernandez, who he replaced when she resigned to take a job in the Biden administration.
For my colleague who called me a “Fat F*ck” and said he hates me but has never seen a day in the gym and is just as weak as his feelings don’t come for me when you’re only in the office because of your mom 💅🏽 enjoy me squatting more than you ever will. pic.twitter.com/PjRIi0yPTc
— (((Rep.Alma Hernandez))) (@almaforarizona) September 15, 2022
SMART Union Local 359 announced that it pulled its endorsement of Fernandez due to the allegations.
“@smartunionworks values the respect of all people. We support candidates for office who work to bring people together. @BrianSFernandez lack of respect for a legislative colleague…We have pulled our endorsement of Brian & hope he learns a lesson. THANK YOU!”
“Local 359, @smartunionworks values the respect of all people. We support candidates for office who work to bring people together. @BrianSFernandez lack of respect for a legislative colleague…We have pulled our endorsement of Brian & hope he learns a lesson.” THANK YOU!
— (((Rep.Alma Hernandez))) (@almaforarizona) September 16, 2022
Hernandez wants Fernandez to apologize “to every single woman in this caucus and party” and to take sensitivity training.
“It’s unfortunate my colleague’s feelings are hurt, especially when the origin is untrue,” Fernandez said. “I did not make the statement being wrongly attributed to me, and I don’t condone it. If there is a lesson to be learned here, it’s that one should always be skeptical of secondhand gossip and that kindness is always the better choice.”