Eight DFL state lawmakers are going to bat for the former employees of a Minneapolis night spot who quit their jobs over concerns about the owner’s political ties.

The Club Jäger workers quit following news reports of a $500 donation that owner Julius DeRoma made to ex-KKK leader David Duke’s U.S. Senate campaign.

Reps. Jim Davnie, Tim Mahoney, Erin Maye Quade, Jason Metsa, Rena Moran, Mike Sundin, Paul Thissen and Jean Wagenius sent a letter to Department of Employment and Economic Development Commissioner Shawntera Hardy outlining the reasons they believe the former workers should be eligible for unemployment benefits. They contend the employees should be covered by “good reason” exceptions in state law.

“The situation at Club Jäger clearly meets this threshold,” they wrote. “Aside from the indignity of working for an owner who supports white supremacy, the working conditions at Club Jäger became untenable after the Duke story was released.”

The lawmakers noted that the former employees received threats and the club began attracting white supremacists as customers.

“No one should be expected to continue to work in such a hostile and dysfunctional environment,” they added.