PHOENIX — A staffer for Democrat David Garcia's campaign for governor has quit after the disclosure of several offensive tweets, including one labeling the United States a "s---hole country" and another saying "F--- you" to Arizona.
"It's unfortunate we had a staffer who on her personal account years ago posted some remarks that are not reflective of our campaign," Garcia said Friday during the taping of a debate with his two primary opponents for this weekend's "Sunday Square Off."
Garcia said the tweets, by the campaign's digital director, Xenia Orona, were posted "years ago." In fact, some of the offensive tweets were posted during the last several months.
In one tweet, from November 2012, Orona said: "An open letter to Arizona: F--- you."
That was posted after Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney won Arizona over President Obama.
In another tweet, from January, Orona said: "I am from 5 generations of border crossers between this #s---hole country and ... Mexico."
A Garcia spokeswoman told 12 News the campaign became aware of the tweets only after they were disclosed Thursday by PJMedia.com.
Garcia's campaign finance reports show Orona was paid $3,000 during the first six months of this year.
You can watch the full debate with the three Democratic candidates for governor on this weekend's "Sunday Square Off," at 8 a.m. Sunday on 12 News.