The chief technology officer for Jeb Bush, Ethan Czahor, has resigned just one day after his hire was announced, as a result of controversial remarks he posted online.
Czahor, who founded Hipster.com, was found to have tweeted about women as “sluts,” among other offensive remarks. He began deleting those tweets Monday at the request of Bush’s team, but not before media outlets published screenshots.
Bush’s team initially expressed public support for Czahor. Nevertheless, he resigned Tuesday from Bush’s committee Right To Rise.
“While Ethan has apologized for regrettable and insensitive comments, they do not reflect the views of Gov. Bush or his organization and it is appropriate for him to step aside,” Bush spokeswoman Kristy Campbell said, confirming Czahor’s resignation. “We wish him the best.”
In a statement posted to Twitter, Czahor seemed to express regret tinged with bitterness toward the campaign, apologizing “in advance to whoever fills my position.”
“I only hope that my recent news won’t dissuade future techies from entering politics, regardless of political affiliations/backgrounds, and I’ve resigned my role at Right to Rise,” Czahor tweeted Tuesday. “Best of luck to everyone there, and I apologize in advance to whoever fills my position.”
Czahor’s abrupt departure marks the first major staffing snafu of the 2016 presidential campaign cycle. Although Bush has not yet announced his candidacy, he has been taking deliberate steps toward a likely presidential bid, including rolling out his policy priorities in a series of speeches, beginning with one in Detroit last week.
