Scott Township official under fire for comments about Dr. Rachel Levine

SCOTT TOWNSHIP, Pa. — A commissioner in Scott Township is under fire after comments he made during a virtual meeting Wednesday night.

The comments were aimed at the Pennsylvania Health Secretary, Dr. Rachel Levine, who is transgender.

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“I am tired of listening to a guy dressed up like a woman. I know how frustrated people are,” commissioner Paul Abel said during the meeting.

Levine has helped lead Gov. Tom Wolf’s response to COVID-19 for Pa., and Abel’s comments came when asking Commissioner Angela Wateska about the green phase and what comes after it.

The comments didn’t sit well, even with his fellow commissioners.

The rest of the commissioners sent Channel 11 the following statement regarding what Abel said during the meeting:

“We were stunned and appalled at the statement made by Commissioner Abel at our June 9th meeting regarding Dr. Rachel Levine. Commissioner Abel’s opinions and views are not those of ours. Our biggest mistake was not addressing Commissioner Abel’s statement when it happened but we were too stunned to immediately respond. For that we apologize.”

The commissioners also sent out an apology letter on Friday:

Now, some residents are calling for Abel’s resignation. Abel has not yet commented on the backlash.

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