CHARLESTON – The state Democratic Party is criticizing a Republican member of the House of Delegates who is serving as legal counsel for a podcaster it calls “right-wing” and “extremist.”
But J.B. Akers says his client has a legitimate claim in civil court, which is “part of our normal democratic process.”
Conservative podcaster Tim Pool filed a multi-million dollar lawsuit earlier this month in federal court in Martinsburg saying Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign claimed he supports a dictatorship. In his complaint against Harris For President, Pool, who lives in West Virginia, identifies himself as a social media content creator, commentator and independent journalist.
Bodie
| File photo
On September 26, state Democratic Party Chairman Mike Pushkin issued a press release blasting Akers’ representation of Pool in the federal case, saying Pool received $100,000 per episode of his podcast to push propaganda and “divisive and false narratives favorable to Vladimir Putin’s regime.”
“J.B. Akers has chosen to stand on the wrong side of history by defending Tim Pool, who is not only spreading lies but is doing so on the payroll of the Kremlin,” said Pushkin, who also is a member of the House with Akers. “Pool has frequently hosted extremist guests like Gab founder Andrew Torba, who regularly promotes anti-semitic content; Alex Jones, who was successfully sued for calling the Sandy Hook massacre that took the lives of 20 first graders and six educators a hoax; right-wing provocateur Milo Yiannopoulos, who once said sexual relationships between 13-year-old boys and adults could be consensual; and notorious white supremacist and Holocaust denier Nick Fuentes, all of whom peddle dangerous and debunked conspiracy theories.
“West Virginia deserves better than leaders who align themselves with those pushing divisive, anti-American propaganda.”
Pushkin also said Pool's connections and his role in “amplifying falsehoods” make Akers’ decision to represent him troublesome.
“We cannot tolerate this kind of collaboration with those who serve as mouthpieces for foreign adversaries,” Pushkin said. “Akers’ actions show that he is willing to side with individuals working to undermine our democracy, and that is simply unacceptable.”
Akers’ opponent in the 55th District House race is Linda Bodie.
“J.B. Akers and Tim Pool have shown they will do anything to make a buck, even if it means aligning themselves with enemies of our country and of democracy,” Bodie said in the Democratic Party press release. “Akers’ decision to represent Pool — who has hosted extremists and spreads dangerous conspiracy theories funded by Kremlin-backed propaganda — demonstrates that both men are willing to put personal gain over the well-being of our nation.
“West Virginians deserve a leader who stands for truth and justice, not someone who will sell out our values to the highest bidder. The people of the 55th District deserve better.”
In response, Akers said voters believe there is too much negativity in politics.
“So, I’ve stayed positive and had not mentioned my opponent at all,” Akers told The West Virginia Record. “I’ve known her for over 20 years. We used to go to the same church. She was probably there the days my kids were baptized.
“Now, the first time my opponent mentions me by name she goes off the rails saying I’m aligned with pro-Kremlin forces who are enemies to democracy. It’s laughable except, these days, it encourages violence. We have seen multiple high-profile examples.”
Akers said he is surprised this is an issue at all.
“I didn’t expect this from someone I know, just to try and win a local House race,” he told The Record. “My opponent obviously doesn’t care. She will say anything to win while my wife and kids also live here.
“I represent people in civil actions. In a civil society, that’s how we handle disputes. My client, Mr. Pool, has a legitimate claim. I filed his case in federal court, where a federal judge and jury will decide our fate.
“While my opponent is making fringe statements about ‘enemies to democracy,’ what I’m doing is part of our normal democratic process.”
Akers then noted Bodie’s company has been involve in the civil court system over the years, calling her criticism of him “hypocrisy” because Element Federal Credit Union has sued customers and been sued as well.
“In one case, among other things, her out-of-work customer alleged that my opponent’s business illegally took a loan payment, applied it as a deposit for the credit union’s benefit and then sued the customer on the loan,” Akers said. “When my opponent kept going lower and wrote that I’ll do anything to make a buck, it seems it’s the other way around.
“My opponent campaigns by saying that she is for working families. In reality, when it’s time to collect, my opponent’s credit union sues jobless, working women. I represent working people for a living.”
Akers said the difference between his campaign and Bodie’s is clear.
“I have focused my campaign on positive plans for jobs, roads and schools,” he said. “My opponent chose personal attacks and goofy political rhetoric. Voters around here are tired of what my opponent and people like her are doing. I know because they tell me.
“I agree with my opponent on one thing – our district deserves a good leader. After seeing how my opponent chose to run her campaign, that person is obviously not her.”
Gov. Jim Justice appointed Akers earlier this year to fill the House vacancy left when Moore Capito resigned to focus on his unsuccessful gubernatorial campaign.
