Sen. Kelly Loeffler (R-Ga.) is receiving criticism after it was revealed that she was among a few lawmakers who reportedly sold off stocks in the weeks before the coronavirus tanked the markets.
Now, some Republican candidates in her home state are criticizing her and even calling for her to resign.
Mark Gonsalves, who is running for a congressional seat in Georgia’s 7th District, called on Loeffler to resign on Friday morning.
In a statement, Gonsalves said, “It’s with a heavy heart that I call on fellow Republican, Senator Loeffler, to immediately resign.” Gonsalves continued:
“Profiteering off insider information she obtained through classified Senate briefings is appalling. Taking advantage of the Coronavirus pandemic for personal financial gain is an alarming lack of judgement that renders her unfit to represent Georgia in the US Senate.”
He added, “We cannot claim to ‘Drain the Swamp’ in DC and be afraid to call out our own party for swampy behavior. Senator Loeffler profited off the knowledge that Georgians would lose their jobs. It’s beyond offensive – it’s amoral.”
In the email box: #GA07 GOP candidate @MarkCongressGA7 calls on Sen. Kelly Loeffler to resign. pic.twitter.com/dGXvFs7uPE
— Kirk A. Bado (@kirk_bado) March 20, 2020
Rep. Doug Collins (R-Ga.), who is running against Loeffler for her senate seat, also criticized her, though he stopped short of calling for her resignation.
Collins — who became a powerful figure during impeachment because of his role as the ranking member on the House Judiciary Committee — wrote on Twitter, “People are losing their jobs, their businesses, their retirements, and even their lives and Kelly Loeffler is profiting off their pain? I’m sickened just thinking about it.”
People are losing their jobs, their businesses, their retirements, and even their lives and Kelly Loeffler is profiting off their pain? I'm sickened just thinking about it.
— Doug Collins (@CollinsforGA) March 20, 2020
Loeffler is being accused of dumping the stocks after a private coronavirus briefing — between Jan. 24 and mid-February, Loeffler and her husband made 29 stock transactions, according to The Daily Beast.
Loeffler wrote on Twitter in defense, “This is a ridiculous and baseless attack. I do not make investment decisions for my portfolio. Investment decisions are made by multiple third-party advisors without my or my husband’s knowledge or involvement.”
This is a ridiculous and baseless attack. I do not make investment decisions for my portfolio. Investment decisions are made by multiple third-party advisors without my or my husband's knowledge or involvement.
— Senator Kelly Loeffler (@SenatorLoeffler) March 20, 2020
Loeffler was appointed to her seat by the Georgia governor after Sen. Johnny Isakson resigned.