The week
The Alabama Secretary of State admits an affair, denies calling blacks “the colored,” and drops the Senate offer
Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill (R) said Wednesday morning that he had not had an extramarital affair and claims that the woman who claimed otherwise, Cesaire McPherson, “persecuted” and “molested” him. When AL.com played Merrill a tapping of himself and McPherson discussing various sexual acts they had committed in dozens of encounters, Merrill acknowledged the matter and said he would not count on Senator Richard’s Senate seat Shelby (R-Ala.). “It’s clear that I had an inappropriate relationship with her, and it’s not something I’m proud of or something I’m very disappointed in,” Merrill told AL.com. “Obviously, I will not be a candidate for the United States Senate, nor will I seek any other elected position in 2022.” Merrill, who has been in office since 2014, was on a temporary basis because he was seeking a third term. Conservative MP Mo Brooks (R-Ala.) And Lynda Blanchard, President Trump’s ambassador to Slovenia, are both expected to run for Shelby’s seat. McPherson, 44, had sent Merrill explicit text messages on Tuesday to the conservative National File website, and then posted a 17-minute audio recording to AL.com with an excerpt published. “All I want to say here is proof that John Merrill is a liar,” she told AL.com. “This is the real John Merrill.” In a lengthy interview with National File, McPherson said Merrill used his state car and cell phone to continue their affair and that he was a “really bad racist” who would refer to blacks as “the colored”. The Alabama Democratic Party highlighted these allegations. “Except for using government funds to ease his affair, Merrill’s personal life and conduct are just that – personal,” said Wade Perry, executive director of the state party. “The Democratic Party is much more concerned about the claim that he regularly referred to African American judges and citizens in Alabama as ‘The Coloreds.’ If that’s true, he must apologize AND step down immediately.” Merrill said it was not true, saying told AL.com on Wednesday night that he “never referred to African-Americans and blacks as blacks,” adding, “I don’t do that. I never did that.” Regarding the use of government funds, he said he had “nothing else to say about this particular incident, now or in the future.” More stories from theweek.com The Matt Gaetz allegations show how QAnon corrupts his followers5
