(trigger warning: discussion of sexual assault)

A Republican candidate for the Michigan House of Representatives has received criticism from Democrats and some fellow Republicans for recent comments comparing rape and the 2020 presidential election. https://t.co/YTHcBY6Hwh

Robert 'RJ' Regan, who is considered the frontrunner for the Michigan House’s 74th District, recently appeared on a Facebook live stream panel organized by Rescue Michigan Coalition, a right-wing group that supports former President Trump’s efforts to overturn the election.

During the Sunday conversation, Regan made an offensive analogy about rape when describing some Republicans’ desire to move on from 2020.

Near instantly, Regan’s remarks were widely shared and subsequently denounced.

But Regan doubled down on the analogy again Wednesday on a conservative talk show, saying: 'We’re sick and tired of the establishment telling us, 'You just have to sit there and take [the 2020 results]. You know, just lie there and enjoy it,'' Regan said.

'This is the way this is gonna be. And, you know, I used the example, I said, 'Listen, that'd be like if I told my three daughters that, you know, rape’s inevitable; you should just lie back and enjoy it.''

Michigan Freedom Fund, a conservative group, called the remarks 'disgusting and dehumanizing' and added that 'RJ Regan doesn’t belong anywhere near the state Capitol.' Meshawn Maddock, co-chair of the Michigan GOP, said Regan’s remarks were 'offensive and disappointing.'

'This type of language is disgusting and Michigan Republicans have got to stand up and denounce Regan’s remarks and what his candidacy represents,' said Lavora Barnes, chair of the Michigan Democratic Party.

In addition to his offensive statement about rape, Regan has a history of antisemitic comments, pro-Putin comments, and comments calling the COVID-19 pandemic 'fake.' This is Regan’s fourth attempt running for a seat in the Michigan House.

In 2020, his daughter made headlines when she took to Twitter to urge her community not to vote for him.

After the firestorm, Regan spoke to the outlet Bridge Michigan about his comments, but did not offer an actual apology.

'Sometimes, my words aren’t as smooth and polished as the politicians are because I’m not a politician. I’m working on it,' Regan said.

'The only reason [left-wing] trolls attack you is because they know you're directly over the target, dropping direct hits on an issue. If you're not scoring hits, they leave you alone,' Regan added.