Georgia Rep. Carpenter Apologizes for 2010s Blackface Photo as Primary Approaches
State Rep. Kasey Carpenter calls 2010s blackface costume portraying Kanye West a “mistake” as photo surfaces weeks before his Republican primary election.
DALTON, GEORGIA — State Representative Kasey Carpenter acknowledged a photograph showing him in blackface was a “mistake” after the image surfaced on social media this week, drawing criticism as the Republican lawmaker prepares for his May primary election.
The grainy photograph shows Carpenter and his wife at what he described as a costume party at a Chattanooga bar approximately 12 years ago. Carpenter said he painted his face brown to portray Kanye West while his wife dressed as Kim Kardashian during a party where guests were supposed to dress as power couples.
“Clearly it was a mistake, but it was nothing done with bad intentions or some subversive messaging,” Carpenter said in a phone interview Monday. “I think most of my constituents know, both white and my minority constituents, know where my heart is and know that I’m a man of all people.”
Primary Contest Looms
The controversy emerges as Carpenter faces Republican challenger Cleve Manis, who works in construction, in the GOP primary scheduled for May 19. The primary winner will advance to face Democrat Quentin Postell, a college student, in the November general election.
Carpenter suggested the timing of the photo’s release was politically motivated. “I guess an election year is a good time to drop a racially sensitive photo of somebody,” he said.
The Dalton Republican disputed characterizations of his costume choice as blackface. “Instead of focusing on what you’ve done to help minorities, they want to post a one-off shot of something from 12, 14 years ago that – we can argue whether or not it was blackface – I would argue I was Kanye West,” Carpenter said. “It was a person, I wasn’t representing a race or some kind of historical insensitive subject.”
Legislative Record on Immigration
Carpenter has championed legislation offering in-state tuition to Georgia college students who entered the United States illegally as children and are protected under the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program or DREAM Act. His advocacy comes as Whitfield County, which he represents, maintains a Hispanic population of approximately 38 percent.
The photograph began circulating widely on social media platforms before Carpenter addressed the controversy publicly. The image appears to have originated from Carpenter’s own Facebook page, according to reports.
Carpenter, who was in his 30s when the photograph was taken, emphasized his legislative work and community relationships in defending his character. He maintained that his constituents across racial lines understand his commitment to serving all residents of his district.
The May 19 primary will test whether voters in the heavily Republican district accept Carpenter’s explanation and apology for the decade-old photograph.
