News + Press
News + Press
News + Press
WV Democrats Call for Full Investigation
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 25, 2025
West Virginia Democratic Party Chair and House Delegate Mike Pushkin (D-Kanawha) issued the following statement today in response to serious allegations published yesterday that Delegate Ian Masters publicly expressed white supremacist and antisemitic views on social media.
“First and foremost, I sincerely hope that Delegate Masters was not the author of the hateful statement that has come to light. I truly hate to think that he would be capable of something so vile. I was encouraged to hear Speaker Hanshaw say this morning on MetroNews Talkline that he’s willing to investigate the matter.
But let’s be clear — given the gravity of what’s alleged, an investigation cannot simply mean asking the Delegate, ‘Did you do it?’ and taking ‘No’ for an answer. We need to get to the truth. West Virginians deserve to know whether an individual chosen to serve in the House of Delegates has used his platform to promote hate, bigotry, and extremism.”
Chair Pushkin outlined specific steps that must be taken as part of any legitimate investigation into the matter:
A full forensic examination of Delegate Masters’ digital devices, accounts and email activity, including login history, IP addresses, device access, account recovery actions, and associated cell phone data. Investigators must determine whether his personal number was linked to the account, whether access came from his known devices or locations, and whether two-factor authentication was in place. These are standard steps to confirm or disprove claims of account compromise.
A thorough explanation for the profile picture associated with the account in question, which prominently features symbols used by neo-Nazis and white supremacist groups. Who took the picture? Were those symbols his? How long was that image tied to the account?
Clarification regarding the letter shown in the article, addressed to Delegate Masters from a close relative and featured in the image. Is the letter real? If so, how did it end up featured in the profile picture of this Instagram account.
An explanation for the suspicious timing of the account name change, which occurred within moments after Delegate Masters spoke with a reporter about the story.
Tammy Offutt, Chair of the Berkeley County Democratic Executive Committee added, “Democrats submitted three qualified, thoroughly vetted nominees to fill this seat. The Governor bypassed all three to appoint someone who, according to these reports, espouses white nationalist and antisemitic views. The people of this district deserve better. If true, Ian Masters does not, and cannot, represent them.”
Pushkin added, “If Delegate Masters is somehow the victim of an elaborate identity theft scheme, the best way to clear his name is through a thorough, independent, and professional investigation that determines the truth. We owe it to the people of West Virginia — and to the institution we serve — to take these charges seriously and to pursue facts, not assumptions. House leadership must act swiftly and transparently, in order to restore public trust. If these allegations are confirmed, Delegate Masters must resign immediately.”
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