Jaime West has admitted she drank three beers before a viral televised forum where she slurred her words and vowed to fire all Republicans.
West, a Democratic candidate for Fayette County Council in Indiana, made the confession during a Monday appearance on “Piers Morgan Uncensored,” where the host pressed her on exactly how intoxicated she had been during the Oct. 9 broadcast. The county council hopeful initially tried to minimize her drinking, telling Morgan she had only consumed “a Coors Light” before the disastrous appearance.
Morgan, 59, refused to accept that answer, pushing West to come clean about her pre-show drinking. She then revised her story upward, acknowledging she had “a couple” of beers. The British broadcaster continued pressing for a definitive number, framing it as “a chance to be completely honest and transparent.”
“Alright, three. Three beers. What do you want me to say, man? I had three beers,” West finally revealed on the program.
The Indiana Democrat defended her condition during the original forum, insisting she “wasn’t that intoxicated” and still “knew what I’m talking about when it comes to Indiana politics.” She also assured Morgan she was sober during their Monday interview.
West offered an explanation for why she drank before the political event, telling Morgan she was anxious about the hostile environment she expected to face. “I was nervous! I was going into a room full of Republicans,” she said during the broadcast.
The candidate refused to back down from the inflammatory statements she made during her slurred Oct. 9 appearance. When Morgan asked whether she wanted to retract anything from that viral moment, West stood by her remarks attacking the opposing party.
“I say it all the time – I’m not friends with [Republicans]. I don’t like them. They voted for all of this that’s happening to our country,” she told Morgan.
West’s original appearance at the local televised forum became widely circulated online after viewers noted her slurred speech and rambling delivery. During that broadcast, she had pledged to fire all Republicans if elected to the county council position.
The candidate’s Monday admission marks the first time she has specified exactly how much alcohol she consumed before taking the stage. Her progression from “a Coors Light” to “a couple” to three beers came only under sustained questioning from Morgan, who told her that many viewers had assumed she was drunk during the forum appearance.
West is seeking a seat on the Fayette County Council in the upcoming election cycle.
