'We're part of the master race': Outrageous moment white Kansas county official shocks black city planner by citing Nazi ideology before commenting on the gap in her teeth

Louis Klemp

Triveece Penelton

Doug Smith

Robert Holland

Leavenworth County administrator Mark Loughry took issue with the characterization of Klemp's remarks in a written statement

The white county commissioner in Kansas who told a black city planner that 'we're part of the master race' is under pressure to resign with even a family member condemning the remark while still supporting him.

Leavenworth County Commissioner Louis Klemp, 80, cited the master race at a board meeting Tuesday while responding to a presentation by Triveece Penelton and a colleague on road development options in Tonganoxie, just west of Kansas City.

'I don't want you to think I'm picking on you because we're part of the master race,' Klemp told Penelton after criticizing land use options she had presented to the commission. 'You have a gap in your teeth. We are part of the master race, don’t you forget that.'

'The comment should not have been made,' an unnamed member of Klemp's family said to KSHB. 

'Mr. Klemp loves his community,' the family member continued deflecting characterizations that he may be racist. 'He has spent years coaching, volunteering time within the community, working with local taxpayers on their taxes, providing a helping hand to those in need, listening and participating in all things Leavenworth and color has never been a factor.'

Fellow commissioners Robert Holland and Doug Smith called on Klemp to resign before his term ends January 15. 

'In the best interest of the county, he should resign,' Smith told The Leavenworth Times.

'Mr. Klemp has a First Amendment right to express himself—just as his community has a right to hold him accountable to his toxic words and the ideas behind it,' the ACLU of Kansas stated, weighing in on the controversy.

In Klemp's defense, Leavenworth County's administrator Mark Loughry tried to explain the way the official attempted to use the words.

'Commissioner Klemp has a gap in his front teeth and so did the person presenting to the Commission on Tuesday,' Loughry wrote in a statement. 'On several occasions over the past year Mr. Klemp has made reference that those with a gap in their front teeth are members of the master race.'

Klemp, who once ran for governor, has come under criticism in the past for making controversial comments.

Last December, while the commission was discussing holiday schedules, Klemp suggested Robert E. Lee, the commander of the Confederate Army in the Civil War, should be honored.

'Not everybody does them all because we have Robert E. Lee...Oh God Robert E. Lee ... wonderful part of history,' Klemp said.

He also said George Washington probably wouldn't get his own holiday because he was a slave owner.

'It bothers me that if we're going to have Martin Luther King Day, why don't we have a George Washington?' he said. 'I think George was a pretty important guy.'