Oct 3, 2024 - Politics & Policy

Photos emerge of GOP congressman in blackface at college Halloween party

Rep. Mike Lawler in Washington, D.C., in September. Photo: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) apologized on Thursday after photos emerged of him wearing blackface while dressed as Michael Jackson during a college Halloween costume party in 2006.

The big picture: The New York Times first reported on the photos of the 38-year-old Lawler, who is up for re-election in one of House Speaker Mike Johnson's (R-La.) most vulnerable House seats.

What he's saying: Lawler said in a statement shared with media outlets including Axios that the outfit was "a genuine" homage to Michael Jackson.

"The ugly practice of blackface was the furthest thing from my mind," Lawler said. "Let me be clear, this is not that," he added.
"I am a student of history and for anyone who takes offense to the photo, I am sorry. All you can do is live and learn, and I appreciate everyone's grace along the way."

State of play: A year before the blackface incident, Lawler reportedly flew to California (as a high school senior) to attend Jackson's trial on molestation charges.

Lawler was removed from the courtroom after saying "something derogatory under his breath," a Jackson biographer wrote in a 2009 book, the Daily Beast reports.
He described himself in his statement as a "Super Fan" of Jackson, so much "so that I was mentioned by name in his biography for my outspoken support of him and the Jackson Family."

The bottom line: Lawler's race is rated a "toss-up" by Cook Political Report.

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Photos emerge of GOP congressman in blackface at college Halloween party

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