Yellowstone GOP Turns Away Turiano, Cites Racism

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — The Republican Party in Yellowstone County says it will not allow Congressional candidate Drew Turiano speak at a party event this weekend, saying they will not give him a platform for his racist views.

Party chairwoman Jennifer Owen says the party asked Turiano not to attend its Lincoln-Reagan Day Dinner on Saturday. All other major candidates for statewide office will have a chance to speak at the dinner, which is expected to draw about 300 people.

Turiano told The Billings Gazette (http://bit.ly/1gnmtzM ) he is being turned away because he is a self-described member of the tea party. He allowed that Owen might have been offended by his support for "Operation Wetback," a proposal to deport all immigrants living in the country illegally along with their American-born children.