BUCKHANNON — On Monday, Asad Derya Khan announced that he will be dropping out of the race for Buckhannon City Council amid allegations of residency fraud and surfacing of previous controversial remarks.
In a press release, posted on his official social media account, Khan expressed that while he will not be seeking a city council seat, he successfully “exposed the hate that lies in Buckhannon.”
“My outreach was phenomenal, and my run in itself was a win. I became the light that exposed the hate that lies in Buckhannon, and I consider that a win,” Khan continued. “I, Asad Derya Khan, will not be filing for the 2020 City Council election.”
The full press release:
“On December 20th of 2019 we made history. History that will be a part of Buckhannon forever. I, Asad One Khan, filed my pre-candidacy paperwork for being a Buckhannon City Council candidate. After I filed, we made news, big news! I received media coverage from all over asking me to do a story. The news spread like wildfire, even though some ‘news’ sources’ main goal was slander, and backed by other candidates. But nevertheless, my goal as a man of the people is to better Buckhannon and the residents of it. Mud slinging is not in my dictionary and as a politician would never resort to that childish level.
I received calls from political analysts regarding my run, and have the campaign crew of the century! My outreach was phenomenal, and my run in itself was a win. Now, however, I am moving on. I became the light that exposed the hate that lies in Buckhannon, and I consider that a win. However, dealing with childish attacks, misinformation, slanderous articles, and personal threats has become an issue. Staff members of my father’s business were physically attacked, patients and friends were verbally attacked, and campaign crew were messaged and threatened because they all had some affiliation with me. Other candidates calling and threatening and pushing to get me killed is not a reasonable part of a city election. It is just childish, and I am more of a man than that. I was born and raised here in Buckhannon. My grandfather and great grandfather were coal miners, I know West Virginia, and I’ll always fight for West Virginia. I went to school here, enjoy my college education at WVWC here, and really enjoy the residents here; however, I am not going to let my friends and family get attacked. My father has practiced here for 23 years, caring for anyone who walks into his door, and he himself is being berated with such childish material. Am I giving up the fight? I will never give up the fight. Will you able to take Khan out of Buckhannon? You could but all you will be left with is Bucnon. What is my next plan? Well, I will tell you.
I, Asad Derya Khan, will not be filing for the 2020 City Council election. Instead, I will be focusing elsewhere on doing as much as I can for Buckhannon. Instead of City Council, I will be working as a paid producer on a web video series where we bring in people with differences and have coffee with them. The goal of the program is to show that no matter what, we can put social media and social misconceptions off to the side and actually have a conversation with common ground. My other plans include bettering Buckhannon however I can. I will be putting my ideas straight into action, which include homeless care, public safety, animal care, drug issues, economic growth, greener city, and diversity. I plan to take on these problems with my own hands and with plenty of help. I will be teaming up with other individuals along with other candidates all over the state to put these plans into place.
I want to thank all that have supported me, especially the people all over our beautiful state that have contacted me offering their help. I also want to thank the residents here in our pulchritudinous town who have shown their support. Most importantly I want to thank my amazing campaign crew that have been with me 100% along the way, including Beth Day, my campaign manager, who has stuck by my side throughout the childish behavior of others. The friends I have made throughout this run have been phenomenal, and I could never ask for anything better. In addition, I would like to take this opportunity to invite my many friends and supporters to watch the new show, to stay positive, and to get involved with the large coalition of people who are working to make Buckhannon a more inclusive, understanding, and friendly place for everyone.”
Controversial Comments
Asad Derya Khan made numerous controversial comments berating Trump supporters, and even vocalized support for a man who attempted to assassinate the President. Posts made by Khan ranged from insulting local members of the Central West Virginia Republican Women (CWVRW) to posting depictions of President Trump in Ku Klux Khan wardrobe.
Khan initially began receiving public criticism when it was revealed that he shared, “In America, you’re more likely to be killed by a Trump Supporter than a Muslim terrorist” on his social media account. Prior to his campaign announcement, Khan deactivated his personal Facebook account that contained numerous derogatory messages directed at conservative members of the community.
Additionally, he called a gathering organized by the CWVRW a “Klans people gathering,” “Nazi gathering,” consisting of “idiots, racists” and “bigots.” This particular gathering was also attended by his campaign manager Beth Day.
Khan also allegedly libeled local Delegates Robbie (R) and Patrick Martin (R), using innuendo to allude they belong to the Ku Klux Klan.
“If things get really bad, I might have to join the Klan. Can Robbie and Patrick Martin set me up?” he posted.
Supporting the Assassination of President Donald J. Trump
Khan even went to the extent of purportedly expressing that Eric Leonardo Charron was “just trying to Make America Great Again” when he sought to assassinate President Donald J. Trump.
According to The Washington Times, Trooper D.W. Satterfield said Charron indicated he was traveling to the White House and the Pentagon. Charron later expressed he had “special hearing” that “would tell him to do bad things once he arrived at the White House or The Pentagon.” Trooper Satterfield also discovered a handgun, ammunition, and gunpowder in Charron’s vehicle.
WBOY reported the story on March 27, 2019, publishing the article to their official Facebook page.
“I mean… he was trying to ‘Make America Great Again,’” Asad Derya Khan wrote as a response.
Days later, Khan’s remark was temporarily removed by Facebook for violating their Terms of Service. After Khan submitted his response for review, Facebook reinstated the comment. Khan then doubled-down and defended his remark as being the usage of his “Freedom of Speech.”
“So, after posting my own freedom of speech, Papa Trump’s supporters decided to try to get me removed off Facebook, and remove my comment. Well, due to the lack of backbone and pantie wading the comment was removed temporarily. However, after asking for a review, the post is back up (Thank you Facebook), So may I ask who are the snowflakes?” Khan wrote.
These remarks were made approximately 8 months before Khan filed pre-candidacy forms to run for Buckhannon City Council in December.
Potential Residency Fraud Scandal
Khan’s mailing address was listed at 145 Eagle Street, which was believed to be his primary residence. According to Upshur County voting records, Khan is registered to vote at the 145 Eagle Street location. This location is outside of the Buckhannon city limits.
According to the Buckhannon city charter, if you are ineligible to vote in the city election, you cannot serve in a municipal office.
The residence address that Khan listed on his Pre-Candidacy Registration Form is 2 Hartman Plaza, which is the commercial location of his father’s medical office. This raised great concerns that Asad Derya Khan was committing residency fraud, attempting to unlawfully enter a political office.