Governor Matt Blunt (R-MO) defends his chief of staff amid calls from Hispanic groups that the aide be fired over a comment.
Chief of Staff Ed Martin made the remark August 17th at a meeting of the Missouri Housing Development Commission, stating there are Mexicans on a work site, adding that some of them are probably illegal immigrants. Blunt says no slight was intended, and that the comment demonstrates his administration’s desire to crack down on the hiring of illegal workers.
Blunt adds the context of the comment is important, and in this context Martin was paraphrasing a developer’s comments. Asked whether he has any advice for Martin over comments made in public, Blunt told reporters any such advice would be kept between him and his chief of staff.
