"Bigoted unelected loser" - 3-time Stanley Cup winner Aaron Ward calls out GOP candidate

By Evan Bell

Modified Aug 08, 2024 18:52 GMT

This week, NHL veteran Aaron Ward, who won three Stanley Cups during his 13-year career in the NHL, took aim at Missouri secretary of state candidate, Valentina Gomez. Gomez, who has previously been vocal about the LGBTQ+ community, finished sixth in Missouri's primary this week.

Gomez had previously gone viral for using a flame-thrower to burn LGBTQ+ books. The books offered advice to young people who are in the process of coming out and navigating homophobia.

In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Aaron Ward replied to a video of Gomez's from late July, where the GOP candidate pulled a wagon with an American flag behind her as she ran.

In the video, she urges voters to get out and vote on Aug. 6, while saying that voters can put the weight of the nation on her shoulders, she won't flinch. After her sixth-place finish in the Republican primary, Aaron Ward went back to the video:

"Good Morning you bigoted unelected loser. Time to get up and get a real job now I guess. Empathetically, of course."

Gomez finished sixth in the state's primary, earning 7.4% of votes, while Denny Hoskins led all candidates with 24.4% of the votes to earn the GOP nomination and advance to the general election, where he will be up against Democrat Barbara Phifer and Libertarian Carl Herman Freese.

It's unclear if Gomez will attempt to run in the next election.

Valentina Gomez doubles down on extremist views after losing election and drawing criticism from Aaron Ward

While Aaron Ward and a number of other individuals commented on Gomez after her loss, she was quick to double-down on her previous statements.

Gomez, who had been working in finance for Nestlé Purina up until this summer, spoke about her sixth-place finish in Missouri's primary election on Wednesday in an email relayed by NBC News:

“I was a nobody and God transformed me into one of the most feared, respected, and loved women in American Politics. I put the fear of God in pedophiles, groomers, and corrupt politicians. I never sold out, spoke the truth, and did the right thing for the American people,” she stated.

When asked specifically about the book-burning video, Gomez stated that she stands by her words and her videos, and that they will stand the test of time.

Aaron Ward hasn't released any further comments regarding the election, however, his bio on X features the LGBTQ+ flag along with the hashtag "Ally" making it clear where he stands on matters related to the LGBTQ+ community.

Ward won the Stanley Cup twice as a member of the Detroit Red Wings and once with the Carolina Hurricanes.