BILLINGS — The chairwoman of the Yellowstone County Republican Party says she isn’t seeking re-election because she needs more time for her personal relationships and her work as a petroleum engineer in North Dakota.
Jennifer Olsen was criticized in February and many called for her resignation after a racist photo mocking President Barack Obama was posted on her Facebook page. Olsen denied posting the photo of a box propped up by a stick with a watermelon underneath. The caption says “BREAKING NEWS: The Secret Service just uncovered a plot to kidnap the president.”
Olsen told The Billings Gazette on Friday the Facebook posting had nothing to do with her decision to take a break from full-time politics.
Olsen and her father, Eric, founded the Montana Shrugged Tea Party group in 2009.