New York GOP Nominates U.S. Senate Candidate Who Thinks Child Labor Laws Are Unconstitutional

Yesterday, New York Republicans voted to nominate Wendy Long as their candidate for the U.S. Senate seat held by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY). Long, a former law clerk for Justice Clarence Thomas, is best known for spearheading several inaccurate and race baiting attacks against Justice Sonia Sotomayor during Sotomayor’s confirmation process.

Despite an impressive legal resume, Long also appears unable to distinguish the United States Constitution from the Tea Party’s policy preferences. In 2008, Long penned a book review praising an opinion by Justice Thomas which would lead to everything from national child labor laws to the federal ban on whites-only lunch counters being declared unconstitutional. If elected, Long would join at least two other current senators, Sens. Mike Lee (R-UT) and Rand Paul (R-KY), who share Long’s misreading of our nation’s founding document.