A spokesman for the bipartisan Westchester Republican Congressman said Lawler regretted the depiction — ‘painting [all] Democrats as haters of the USA’ was a step too far.

By Chris McKenna | The Journal News

Rep. Mike Lawler proudly brandishes his bipartisanship while on the stump, reminding voters that he’s ranked the fourth most bipartisan member of Congress by Georgetown University’s Lugar Center, based on all the bills he has co-sponsored with Democrats.

It’s an essential in the 17th Congressional District, where Democrats outnumber Republicans and Conservatives by 71,000 voters.

That bipartisanship spirit, however, can get tossed out the window when Lawler speaks at partisan gatherings, such as a fundraiser for former President Donald Trump in Deal, New Jersey on July 28.

There, Lawler, R-Pearl River, was among the Republicans who warmed up the crowd before the GOP candidate for president spoke to a throng of donors.

He spoke before a podium with a Trump-Vance campaign sign, backed by a line of American flags.

“This election is a choice,” said Lawler in a recording of the speech obtained by the USA TODAY Network.

“A choice between a candidate for president who loves this country, who cares about this country, who believes in this country, versus a party that hates this country. This is a choice.”

Mike Lawler’s team says statement was meant to discuss things he saw from far-left activists

When asked how his speech fit under the bipartisan umbrella, Lawler spokesman Chris Russell said Lawler regretted the depiction of the Democratic Party. Russell acknowledged that painting Democrats at large as haters of the United States of America was a step too far.

“Congressman Lawler regrets his recent comments, which lacked proper context and painted with too broad a brush,” said Russell. “His intent was to condemn the virulent antisemitism and anti-American hatred he personally witnessed from far-left activists recently in Washington D.C., during Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s visit and this summer at Columbia and other college campuses.”

Lawler, said Russell, believes that a goodly chunk of Americans cherish our nation.

“Sadly, there are elements on the fringes of both parties who would rather tear America apart than bring us together,” Russell said. “For his part, Congressman Lawler has always believed that the vast majority of Americans — regardless of party — love our country, even if they disagree on its direction.”

Russell added that Jones has used what he calls “hateful rhetoric” throughout his political career.

“Mondaire Jones, on the other hand, has repeatedly doubled and tripled down on hateful rhetoric smearing law enforcement, border agents, and Republicans in the most vile and divisive way,” said Russell. ##