WA senator refuses to apologize for inflammatory remark

A Republican Washington state senator refused to apologize for using an offensive term during floor debate Wednesday to refer to people with developmental disabilities.

Debating legislation to eliminate a program for people with developmental disabilities and also a history of violent behavior, Sen. Leonard Christian, R-Spokane Valley, argued “we’re putting rapists in with retarded people.”

The comment drew immediate criticism and tears on the Senate floor. The Senate Republican leader on Thursday apologized for Christian’s remarks without name-checking the member of his caucus. He also said reprimanding Christian was “under discussion.”

But in an interview Thursday, Christian declined to apologize, while noting that “in hindsight, I probably could’ve looked for a better word.” He sees the attention the episode is bringing to the legislation as a silver lining.

https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/03/05/wa-senator-refuses-to-apologize-for-inflammatory-remark/