Sen. Andrew Brenner’s wife had compared a suggestion by Ohio Health Director Dr. Amy Acton to the rule of Nazi Germany. He later said the comments were being misconstrued and he regretted that they had hurt some people.

Although Sen. Andrew Brenner offered a quasi-apology after his fellow Republicans widely condemned him and his wife for linking Ohio Health Director Dr. Amy Acton’s remarks with policies of Nazi Germany, Senate Democrats want more: either a full apology or a resignation.

"Senator Brenner is trying to sugarcoat his outrageous comments," said Assistant Minority Leader Cecil Thomas, of Cincinnati. "He needs to accept full responsibility for his hurtful comments and condemn the anti-Semitic statements made by his wife. Or he should consider resigning."

Ohio Democratic Chair David Pepper went further: "Brenner should resign. And as for the broader climate where anti-Semitic signs are part of rallies at Capitol Square, it's long past time that state leaders come to grips with the fact that Ohio is an epicenter of white supremacist hate groups. This demands systematic action, not just words of condemnation."

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Brenner’s wife, Sara Marie, took issue Tuesday on Facebook with Acton’s suggestion of offering some sort of certificate to show who has already had the coronavirus, posting, "With a German accent, in your head say ’show me your papers’...This is downright scary! You don’t issue people certificates to be able to function outside their home. ... This actually feels like Hitler’s Germany..."

Sen. Brenner responded to his wife’s post: "We will never allow that to happen in Ohio."

The exchange occurred on Holocaust Remembrance Day. Acton is Jewish.

And it followed an anti-Semitic display over the weekend during a Statehouse protest demanding that Ohio be reopened.

When Brenner was asked Wednesday by The Dispatch if he disagreed with his wife's comments or in how they've been used, he replied, "How they have been used by the left, and this is all I am going to say on it."

Later, after being criticized by Gov. Mike DeWine, Senate President Larry Obhof, Ohio GOP Chair Jane Timken and others, Brenner said, "What I actually said was not the same as what is being reported. I would never, ever say what I am accused of saying. I understand that while people may differ on policy issues, the manner in which it was reported was upsetting, inflammatory and hurtful.

"I apologize to Dr. Acton, because I’m sure she was offended by the comments as they were reported."

The senator issued an additional statement Thursday afternoon: "I have always had a strong relationship with the Jewish Community, and firmly believe using the holocaust as an analogy or comparison for a public policy debate is offensive and demeans the tremendous sacrifices and atrocities Jews endured during World War II. I apologize for statements that were tied to my social media that were hurtful."

Democrats blasted Brenner’s refusal to admit wrongdoing or take responsibility for things he clearly said in black and white.

"Senator Brenner owes Director Acton a full, unqualified apology," said Senate Minority Leader Kenny Yuko, D-Richmond Heights. "He needs to take responsibility for what he said, stop blaming the media for accurately reporting his words and understand that this behavior will not be tolerated in the Ohio Statehouse."

Assistant Minority Whip Sandra Williams, D-Cleveland, said Brenner "should also apologize on the Senate floor the next time we are in legislative session."

Earlier this week, Brenner — who is among those who question the state’s modeling of the coronavirus and express impatience the state isn’t reopening sooner — said Ohio had reached the point where "the cure is far worse than the virus at this point."

Sarah Marie Brenner removed her original missive "due to a disgusting twisting of what I said," she posted. "Those who thought I made anti-semitic comments are the same people who say I would be a racist for scrutinizing Barack Obama. It's a dog whistle, and it's a sad day when that's the status of the first amendment in America."

The Brenners’ statements drew condemnation Wednesday night from DeWine via Twitter:

"The comments showed a complete lack of understanding of the Holocaust — made even more offensive by posting on Holocaust Memorial Day — and was a slur on a good, compassionate, and honorable person who has worked non-stop to save lives and protect her fellow citizens."

The comments showed a complete lack of understanding of the Holocaust -- made even more offensive by posting on Holocaust Memorial Day -- and was a slur on a good, compassionate, and honorable person who has worked non-stop to save lives and protect her fellow citizens.

— Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine) April 23, 2020

Obhof, R-Medina, said in a statement, "I along with the Senate Republican Caucus strongly disapprove of these comments and believe that any such comparisons or analogies are not only absurd but also harmful."

Timken tweeted, "I cannot condone comments comparing a public official to Nazism. It is incredibly hurtful and terribly inappropriate."

Other GOP officials criticizing the Brenners’ comparison of Acton’s statement with Nazi policies include:

• Secretary of State Frank LaRose: "Comparisons to the Nazis are insulting to the millions murdered & countless others who still feel the holocaust’s impact."

• Attorney General Dave Yost: "I’m not a fan of the idea of immunity certificates — but the idea has nothing to do with Nazism. The comparison is absurd, inflammatory and improper for a leader."

• Auditor Keith Faber: "Stop inciting fear and anger though rhetoric and actions that are not rooted in truth. Enough!"

drowland@dispatch.com

@darreldrowland