SALEM — State Rep. D.J. Bettencourt said this afternoon he accepts the apology of a candidate who has since withdrawn from his race and that another state representative did the right thing by resigning over comments he made on Facebook about Sarah Palin.
Bettencourt, a Republican from Salem, said he was "shocked and disgusted" when he saw comments on his Facebook page made by Democrat Keith Halloran of Rindge in response to his post about the plane crash that killed former Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens.
After Bettencourt said he was disappointed that news accounts of Steven's death included negative details about the senator's career, Halloran wrote: "Just wish Sarah and Levy were on board," referring to the former GOP vice presidential hopeful and her daughter's ex-boyfriend, Levi Johnston.
Bettencourt said although he accepts Halloran's apology, it is more important that Palin's and Johnston's families accept the apology. Halloran has since resigned.
Meanwhile, state Rep. Timothy Horrigan, D-Durham, resigned earlier today and said he would no longer seek re-election after posting a comment that said a "dead Palin wd be even more dangerous than a live one."
Bettencourt said Horrigan took the appropriate course of action.
"He is an elected official and should be held to a higher standard," Bettencourt said.
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