A Missouri judge has ruled that Darrell Leon McClanahan III, a former self-proclaimed “honorary” member of the Ku Klux Klan, can remain on the state’s Republican primary ballot for governor, despite efforts by the state Republican Party to keep him off. The judge stated that there was no evidence presented that having McClanahan on the ballot would cause any injury to the party, and that his presence does not necessarily indicate an endorsement by the party. This decision comes after the Anti-Defamation League published an article detailing McClanahan’s extremist history, including photos of him apparently doing a Nazi salute and standing with KKK members.
McClanahan confirmed the authenticity of the photos to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, but denied being a Nazi and stated that he is not racist or anti-Semitic. In response to NBC News’ request for comment on the judge’s decision, McClanahan criticized the media for focusing on his KKK affiliation, claiming that the KKK is an “invisible empire” and that no one would openly admit membership in it. He also denied ever being a member of the KKK but stated that he was given an honorary one-year membership by a KKK Missouri coordinator and attended a private religious Christian Identity Cross lighting ceremony, which he claimed was falsely described as a cross burning.
The Missouri Republican Party had previously stated that McClanahan’s KKK affiliation contradicts the party’s values and platform, and had sought to remove him from the primary ballot. However, the party did not comment on the judge’s decision. McClanahan, in court documents, reiterated that he has never been a member of the KKK but acknowledged the honorary membership and attendance at the cross lighting ceremony. The judge’s ruling allows him to continue his campaign for governor as a Republican candidate in the primary.
The controversy surrounding McClanahan’s candidacy highlights the challenges faced by political parties in dealing with extremist candidates seeking office. While the Missouri GOP has distanced itself from McClanahan’s KKK affiliation, the judge’s decision to allow him to remain on the ballot raises questions about the party’s ability to control who represents them in elections. Despite the backlash and scrutiny, McClanahan remains steadfast in his denial of being racist or anti-Semitic, and continues to defend his participation in KKK-related events as non-threatening religious ceremonies.
As the primary election approaches, voters in Missouri will ultimately decide the fate of candidates like McClanahan and whether they are fit to represent their party and the state as a whole. The judge’s ruling to uphold McClanahan’s candidacy sets the stage for a contentious primary race, with the outcome likely to have broader implications for the Republican Party in Missouri. The controversy surrounding McClanahan’s campaign underscores the complex intersection of political ideology, personal beliefs, and party loyalty in American politics, and the challenges faced by parties in navigating these issues while upholding their core values and principles.
