Zellers contests Bradlee Dean’s claim that he sought to be on Dean’s show

Bradlee Dean, an anti-gay preacher, told a radio show last week that House Speaker Kurt Zellers had asked to be on his radio show the week before Dean gave a controversial prayer before the Minnesota House. But according to a spokesperson for Zellers’ office, Dean was not telling the truth. Dean’s prayer, which took a swing at President Obama, was nearly universally condemned by legislators on both sides of the aisle.

“Speaker Zellers did not ask to be on Bradlee Dean’s radio show,” said Jodi Boyne, director of public affairs for the Minnesota House Republican Caucus.

Immediately after Dean’s prayer, Zellers told reporters that he wasn’t familiar with Dean’s background and the Speaker of the House condemned Dean’s prayer. Zellers also released a statement on Dean that read:

I respectfully apologize to all members in the Minnesota House of Representatives and all citizens of this state for today’s morning prayer. As Speaker of the House, I take responsibility for this mistake. I am offended at the presence of Bradlee Dean on the floor of the Minnesota House of Representatives. I denounce him, his actions and his words. He does not represent my values or the values of this state.

A request for comment with Bradlee Dean’s ministry, You Can Run But You Cannot Hide, was not immediately returned Tuesday afternoon.