'(Expletive) you': Zionsville mayor causes stir with comments over mass shooting debate

Zionsville Mayor Emily Styron was angry.

It took nine curse words in a series of Facebook comments using her personal social media page for the first-term mayor and mother of three to share her anger in the wake of a Texas mass shooting that killed 19 children and two teachers at an elementary school last week.

The online comments were made last week as she sparred with others over gun regulations on a Facebook post by a Zionsville jeweler that encouraged voter turnout and businesses to declare gun-free spaces.

A screenshot of Styron's comments made rounds Tuesday on Twitter. Guy Relford, the founder of a gun rights organization called the mayor's words an "unhinged, profane rant" in a tweet announcing his appearance on a radio show.

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“(Expletive) sick and tired of mass murders if(sic) OUR (expletive) CHILDREN,” Styron typed in the Facebook comments. “It’s time for the majority who know that gun permits and banning automatic weapons is COMMON (expletive) SENSE.”

In response to a dig at her credentials based on her word choices, Styron shot back that she's an English and political science major and "the (expletive) mayor of this town."

In an interview with IndyStar on Tuesday, Styron, a Democrat, acknowledged she might have upset people with the language she used, but said she was angry.

Her oldest child was 11 when 20 kids and six staff members were killed at Sandy Hook Elementary and her youngest is the same age now.

“I am outraged and frustrated beyond any words that I can conjure up," she said. “I do have an obligation to represent the town of Zionsville in a more sophisticated manner. ... I am also a mom ... I’m also really, really angry.”

Styron, who was elected in 2019, said it’s not the first time she’s used the F-word “and probably won’t be the last.” On the campaign trail ahead of her election as mayor, Styron said she has referred to herself as “unelectable” because she “likes to cuss.”

Social media comments questioned Styron's judgment and said she was "flushing her dignity and political career down the toilet for all to see."

Luke Thomas, a spokesperson for the Indiana Republican Party, said in an email that "it is clear that Mayor Styron's term can't end soon enough."

"The comments from the mayor are disgusting and beneath the office she holds," Thomas said, adding the posts displayed a "lack of leadership" and "the people of Zionsville deserve better. The mayor should apologize immediately."

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Drew Anderson, a spokesperson for the Indiana Democratic Party, said in an email that Styron "colorfully" used her right "to speak up and demand action."

Whether the comments will prove damaging to Styron's political prospects depends on a few factors, said IUPUI political science professor Aaron Dusso.

While the language is harsh, and Dusso would've advised against using it, he said some voters like to see passionate elected representatives.

“If she leans into it, it might change things because people do want to see politicians who demonstrate they care," Dusso said.

Politicians have used harsh language before, even with each other. Former President Donald Trump used profanities in events and rallies. And, former vice-president Dick Cheney once told a senator to "go (expletive) yourself" during a spat on the Senate floor.

"It's not like the first time that's kind of happened," Dusso said. "But I think what President Trump did was he made it clear that people do care and even if you disagree with what he's saying, the people that were following him agree with him and what he wanted, what they liked, is that he seemed to care."

Styron said Zionsville is organizing a community event that will serve as a discussion on responsible gun ownership and a vigil for those lost to gun violence.

The owners of the jewelry store that created the initial Facebook post said they support Styron's comments and her stance on the issue. Robert Goodman Jewelers is a gun-free store, Bob Goodman said Tuesday.

Contact IndyStar's Carmel and Westfield reporter Brittany Carloni at brittany.carloni@indystar.com or 317-779-4468. Follow her on Twitter @CarloniBrittany.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Zionsville Mayor Emily Styron curses on Facebook about mass shootings