An Ohio GOP leader criticized for calling Wildfires to "God's punishment in California"

An Ohio County president for the Republican Party provoked outrage after posting a Facebook post stating that the fires that devastate parts of California are "God's punishment" for the "liberal" state.

David Johnson, president of the Columbiana County GOP, released Sunday images of hell with the following message: "God's Punishment to Liberal California". Another message is superimposed on a photo: "The hell on earth, presented by the California liberals. "

David Betras, chairman of the Democratic Party of Mahoning County, Ohio, described the remarks as "disturbing" and Johnson, a "coward," demanding his resignation.

"I would say that Johnson should be ashamed of himself, but like him and his president, he worships many times, they have no shame," Betras said in a statement. "Johnson owes an apology to the victims, their families and the heroes who fought the fires and participated in the rescue efforts."

After some Facebook comments urged to boycott Johnson's businesses, he resigned from his post, but dubbed the message in a statement to WFMJ-TV.

"California has been overtaken by liberals who have taxed and over-regulated the state," he said. "Modifications could have been made that could have helped prevent deadly fires if there had been proper forest management, but the timber industry is not allowed."

The comment echoed a tweet by President Donald Trump that the fires were caused by the government's "mismanagement" of the forests. Fire officials denied this, pointing out that the fires had occurred in a northern California city (surrounded by a federal forest) and in urban and suburban Los Angeles County communities. .

In the meantime, Johnson insisted that his "heart be shared" with the people who died in the fires and the people who lost their homes.

He was a little more contrite in a statement about his "inartful" message to Cleveland.com: "That's how I feel about the Liberals, but did I mean that God will punish all those who live in California? It's a figure of speech, and I probably should not have done it. But I did, and that does not change my feelings about what happened in California. "

He accused Betras of having "exploited" his publication on Facebook.

At least 77 people have died and nearly 1,000 people are still missing in the camp fire in northern California, and fires have also devastated parts of southern California.