PORT ARTHUR, Texas — A candidate running for mayor in Port Arthur faces questions about whether he has used racial slurs on social media.
Charles "Chuck" Vincent took to Facebook Wednesday, responding to a post that listed quotes of racial slurs, which were attributed to Vincent's page.
Vincent is one of five candidates running for mayor of Port Arthur.
Earlier this week, he spoke with 12News about concerns within the city but on Wednesday used social media to speak about another issue.
"I'm going to go ahead and address the elephant that's in the room that I'm being bashed over the head with," said Vincent, in a Facebook Live video shared on Wednesday. "All I can tell you is politics in Port Arthur is alive and well, things are going to get rougher before they get better."
He is referring to a Facebook post that has spread across social media.
A user told 12News he shared a graphic of quotes that he says were grabbed from Vincent's page a few years ago, which include the 'N' word.
Vincent continued to say in his Facebook Live video "I'm going to keep moving forward, I will address the issues as they come."
Incumbent Mayor Derrick Freeman provided his own response to the post on Facebook.
He said "You know I let the vast majority of the election time rhetoric go unanswered. But this morning when I saw this I was disappointed...What I'm disappointed in is the few folks that know this man has such a bitter heart towards anyone that doesn't look like him, and still proudly support. Bigotry is not welcome in Port Arthur."
Vincent did not shy away from responding to the community's concerns on Wednesday.
He provided several Facebook Live videos describing situations where he used choice words.
"Let me tell you what happened when that situation happened, when I was using the 'N' word," said Vincent in a video. "I happen to have my grand kids at a gas station and we stopped at a convenience store to get fuel."
He went on to say in the video that a black man was blaring rap music next to his family and when Vincent asked the man to turn it down, he says the man responded with a racial slur.
Mayor Freeman, who declined repeated offers for an on-camera interview, offered this promise.
"Once re-elected I will continue to be about inclusion for all," Freeman added in his Facebook post. "Mr. Vincent and his supporters are welcome to join us as we continue to raise the level of excellence in our great city."
Vincent spoke with 12News earlier this week and described the city's condition following Harvey.
"The aftermath of it had left our city still digging out, there's still people living in cars, living in shelters, living in mobile homes," said Vincent. "These are all issues that need to be addressed, need to be taken care of."
We reached out to Vincent for comment on Wednesday, but he told us his focus right now is on his campaign and the election.
12News attempted to reach out to other candidates this week who are involved in the mayoral race.
Both Mayor Freeman and Dr. Lowra Harrison didn't get back with us.
Yet, Willie "Bae" Lewis Jr. and Thurman Bartie spoke about what they'd like to see changed in the city of Port Arthur.
"Bringing together all of the entities within the city of Port Arthur, like the taxing entities in Port Arthur," said Bartie. "Let's find out what thoughts and desires that they have for the future of Port Arthur and align those with the ideas and thoughts that the citizens have. There has to be a happy medium there that we can all work together so that the aesthetic appearance of Port Arthur is going to be better."
Lewis Jr. referenced his thoughts on how incumbent Mayor Derrick Freeman handled the months leading up to Harvey in 2017.
"Look at what happened with the storm," said Lewis Jr. "From January to June is Hurricane preparedness, the mayor in office did not do that and he has no experience, he didn't even know that it was his job...He doesn't know what he's doing and look at the suffering."
More than 2500 people voted early in the city of Port Arthur last week,
Election Day is Saturday, May 4.