WATCH

NYPD to provide update on Columbia University protests

Criticism about Kanye costume won’t stop town council candidate from running

A Republican candidate for a Burlington County town council says that he won’t stop running for the seat, despite criticism about a picture of him dressed as Kayne West that surfaced.

News 12 Staff

Oct 15, 2019, 8:40 PM

Updated 1,647 days ago

Share:

A Republican candidate for a Burlington County town council says that he won’t stop running for the seat, despite criticism about a picture of him dressed as Kanye West that surfaced.
Westampton Town Council candidate Karl Eversmeyer says that the costume, in which he painted his skin brown, was from Halloween 2009 and wasn’t meant to offend anyone.
“I dressed up as Kanye and [my wife] dressed up as Taylor Swift,” Eversmeyer says. It was a reference to the 2009 Video Music Awards incident in where West interrupted Swift while she was accepting an award.
Eversmeyer says that he was shocked when the photos resurfaced after 10 years with claims that he was a racist.
"Anyone who knows me knows I’m not a racist. It’s pretty obvious by my actions. You can tell by my character I consider people, people,” he says.
The photos, which came from the candidate’s personal Facebook page, were leaked by current committee member Anthony de Silva and former Mayor Carolyn Chang. Both are Democrats. They urged him to apologize and drop out of the race.
"Apologize. Don’t defend and I think that’s what’s happening in Westampton right now,” says Chang. “I think the person who engaged in that behavior and that person’s supporters are looking for defenses rather than apologizing.”
Eversmeyer says that he is sorry if anyone was offended by the pictures.
“This wasn’t really an offensive thing 10 years ago, as far as I know, and as far as the guest that I was with, know,” he says. “Today, I would never wear anything besides the color of my skin,” says Eversmeyer.
“If you don’t understand it, I could see certain people saying it’s innocent, it’s just Halloween. But it’ not…it’s hurtful to people of color,” says Chang.
News 12 New Jersey reached out to the Burlington County Republican Party for comment but did not hear back.


More from News 12
0:37
Virginia man was sentenced to 20 years to life in fatal 2021 shooting of New Rochelle cab driver

Virginia man was sentenced to 20 years to life in fatal 2021 shooting of New Rochelle cab driver

2:25
Light rain showers linger into tomorrow, sun to return this weekend

Light rain showers linger into tomorrow, sun to return this weekend

0:34
Westchester DA: Yonkers man sentenced 1 1/3 to 4 years in prison for fatal June 2023 hit-and-run

Westchester DA: Yonkers man sentenced 1 1/3 to 4 years in prison for fatal June 2023 hit-and-run

0:28
White Plains police: Teenager arrested in connection to stabbing of 17-year-old outside gas station

White Plains police: Teenager arrested in connection to stabbing of 17-year-old outside gas station

0:41
State budget proposal would consolidate Medicaid program used in hiring home health aide

State budget proposal would consolidate Medicaid program used in hiring home health aide

1:35
Double Up Food Bucks program comes to Yonkers market

Double Up Food Bucks program comes to Yonkers market

1:45
Surveillance video captures 58 water trucks in South Blooming Grove neighborhood in one month amid water crisis

Surveillance video captures 58 water trucks in South Blooming Grove neighborhood in one month amid water crisis

0:46
Schuyler Crossing management express frustration with ongoing flooding at affordable housing complex

Schuyler Crossing management express frustration with ongoing flooding at affordable housing complex

Preliminary report uncovers over 100 potential unmarked burials at historic Rye cemetery

Preliminary report uncovers over 100 potential unmarked burials at historic Rye cemetery

1:38
Religious leaders work to salvage sacred Torah scrolls after fire

Religious leaders work to salvage sacred Torah scrolls after fire

0:25
Dutchess County drug raid uncovers crack cocaine, cash, ammo and loaded handgun

Dutchess County drug raid uncovers crack cocaine, cash, ammo and loaded handgun

Vote 2024: Ask your questions for Congressional District 16 Democratic candidates

Vote 2024: Ask your questions for Congressional District 16 Democratic candidates

0:19
Suspect in Rockland County stabbing to appear in Ramapo Town Court today

Suspect in Rockland County stabbing to appear in Ramapo Town Court today

0:35
Legal battle over Harrison town supervisor election comes to an end

Legal battle over Harrison town supervisor election comes to an end

1:24
Westchester County launches Pitch In For Parks initiative ahead of Earth Day

Westchester County launches Pitch In For Parks initiative ahead of Earth Day

0:32
Out-of-court settlement reached in New Rochelle excessive force lawsuit

Out-of-court settlement reached in New Rochelle excessive force lawsuit

3:05
Rising concerns over marijuana addiction ahead of 4/20

Rising concerns over marijuana addiction ahead of 4/20

1:44
Discover a Gothic Revival masterpiece of art and architecture at Lyndhurst Mansion

Discover a Gothic Revival masterpiece of art and architecture at Lyndhurst Mansion

0:51
Save money while helping the planet with these 12 energy-efficient tips

Save money while helping the planet with these 12 energy-efficient tips