The shooting of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords has caused a GOP district chairman in Arizona to step down. Anthony Miller, a black Republican who was chairman of Legislative District 20, told the Arizona Republic that his support of John McCain had made him unpopular with district Republicans who favored J. D. Hayworth.
“I wasn’t going to resign but decided to quit after what happened Saturday. I love the Republican Party but I don’t want to take a bullet for anyone,” said Miller, saying that verbal attacks and internet posts had alarmed him regarding his family’s safety.
A person from Miller’s district who is familiar with the events told National Review Online that at one point an angry person had made a hand gesture in the shape of a gun and pointed it straight at the back of Miller’s head. Miller’s wife witnessed the gesture and was “very, very upset.” After the shooting on Saturday, she told Miller that she wanted him to leave politics.
In addition to Miller’s support for McCain, some were angry and viewed him as corrupt because the first vice-chairman, Roger Dickinson, had moved recently and was no longer allowed by the rules to be the first vice-chairman in that district. Miller told the Arizona Republic that he informed district members he would deal with the matter after the holidays.