Olson questioned by voter for calling opponent "Indo-American carpetbagger"

U.S. Rep. Pete Olson, R-Sugar Land, has represented District 22 since 2009. U.S. Rep. Pete Olson, R-Sugar Land, has represented District 22 since 2009. Photo: Courtesy Photo / Courtesy Photo Photo: Courtesy Photo / Courtesy Photo Image 1 of / 36 Caption Close Olson questioned by voter for calling opponent "Indo-American carpetbagger" 1 / 36 Back to Gallery

U.S. Rep. Pete Olson, R-Texas, was recently questioned about his choice of words in identifying his main opponent in the race for the 22nd Congressional District seat.

At a campaign event at La Cocina restaurant in Richmond on Oct. 23, Olson began by touting his and his party’s accomplishments in a video posted to YouTube.

“In less than one-half year, our GDP has gone up 4.2 percent,” Olson said. “That’s Ronald Reagan GDP.”

He spoke out the “lowest ever” unemployment for Hispanics, African Americans and Asians.

He spoke about the military, NAFTA and international affairs, including North Korea and Canada.

Olson then turned his sights on his opponent, Democrat Sri Preston Kulkarni, comparing him to U.S. Senate candidate Beto O’Rourke, a Democrat seeking to unseat incumbent Republican Ted Cruz.

“My opponent like, Robert Francis O’Rourke, wants to get rid of ICE,” Olson said. “That means open borders. That means drugs come across to poison kids in record numbers we’ve never seen. That means trafficking humans, labor slaves, that’s bad for America and Texas.”

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Olson recounted a recent President Donald Trump rally where the chant “CNN sucks” was repeated by thousands.

“It was awesome,” Olson said.

After speaking, Olson was taken to task by one of the attendees who asked, “Why is it awesome that they chanted ‘CNN sucks’? I’m confused by that.”

“Because CNN sucks,” Olson replied to laughter. He added it was because they are liberal.

“They’re lying,” someone in the audience chimed in. “They aren’t telling the truth.”

“You’re a CNN fan?” Olson asked the woman.

“I just don’t think that shouting that a media organization sucks is a positive political statement,” the woman replied.

“Sometimes we have to have fun,” Olson said.

The woman then asked about Olson’s characterizing Kulkarni by race.

“It’s a little bit like when you said your opponent is an Indo-American carpetbagger,” the woman asked. “Why did you say that, in particular. I’m confused by that. Why would you mention his race?”

Olson then crouched down in front of the woman and said, “That’s his race. Carpetbagger is not a race.”

By definition, a carpetbagger is “a political candidate who seeks election in an area where they have no local connections.”

Kulkarni grew up in the Houston area and graduated from the University of Texas. He claims Sam Houston a descendant through his mother.

“Why would you refer to someone’s race as being a negative when you’re talking about them?” the woman asked.

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“Carpetbagger is not racist,” Olson replied. “I was called a ‘carpetbagger’ over and over and over because I moved back here for congress just like my opponent did.”

Olson was born in Washington and his family moved to the Seabrook area and graduated from Clear Lake High School. He graduated from Rice University and later UT.

The woman in the video ended with “I don’t understand why politics has to be like ‘CNN sucks.’ Why is that a positive?”

Neither Olson or Kulkarni could be reached for comment.

Also on the District 22 ballot are Libertarian John McElligott and independent Sara Kellen Sweny. Early voting is currently underway. The General Election is Tuesday, Nov. 6. The 22nd Congressional District includes most of Fort Bend County, including portions of Katy, southeastern Harris County and portions of Galveston County.

See the video in its entirety here.

rkent@hcnonline.com