Hamptons Woman Running for Office Admits Using N-Word in Call to Police, Does Not Apologize

Valerie Smith is a Southampton Village Board candidate.

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A woman running for office in the Hamptons used the n-word in a call to local police last summer and is now defending her use of the word, claiming she's a "pioneer." Valerie Smith, who's a candidate in the forthcoming Southampton Village Board election, confirmed the call during an interview with 27 East Friday.

A recording of the call was obtained via a Freedom of Information Law request and shared to SoundCloud:

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The call in question was placed in August 2016, with Smith telling police a "bunch of n*****s" were in front of her home. Smith confirmed the validity of the recordings "without even hearing" it, 27 East reported. While speaking with the local outlet, Smith used the word multiple times. At one point during their discussion, she cited Eddie Murphy and the TV show All in the Family as reasons why she should be able to use the n-word.

"I came into this neighborhood colorblind," Smith said of her home in the Hillcrest neighborhood. "… When you are a pioneer, like I am, it's not easy. I'm the only white person who owns and lives on this street." During the interview, Smith also referred to a black man as "boy." She did not apologize for any of her comments. 

After moving into the area six years ago, Smith has called police as many as 200 times. Smith told reporters that she had no intention of removing herself from consideration in the Southampton Village Board election on June 16. The campaign marks Smith's first attempt at running for office.

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