Brownback apologizes for ‘over-reaction’ to Sullivan tweet

Gov. Sam Brownback

Six days, hundreds of news articles and several thousand provocative tweets later, Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback ended up being the one to issue the apology in the Emma Sullivan Twitter fracas.

Brownback issued a statement to the media saying he was sorry for his staff’s “over-reaction” to Sullivan’s message:

My staff over-reacted to this tweet, and for that I apologize. Freedom of speech is among our most treasured freedoms.

I enjoyed speaking to the more than 100 students who participated in the Youth in Government Program at the Kansas Capitol. They are our future.

I also want to thank the thousands of Kansas educators who remind us daily of our liberties, as well as the values of civility and decorum.

Again, I apologize for our over-reaction.