Missouri GOP appeals case involving candidate with alleged KKK ties

Lina Portman3 weeks ago

3 1 minute read

The Missouri Republican Party today appealed a Cole County judge's decision in a case involving a candidate with alleged ties to the Ku Klux Klan.

The appeal concerns Darrell McClanahan III, who ran for governor in February.

Erica Choinka of the Missouri Republican Party told Missourinet that the party is working to have McClanahan's name removed from the party's primary ballot in August.

“Our position remains firm: the candidate's beliefs are not consistent with the values of the Missouri Republican Party, and we strongly assert that he should not be allowed to run under our party's name. We are committed to upholding the principles that define our party and will continue to pursue this matter through appropriate legal channels,” Choinka said.

In March, the Missouri Republican State Committee filed a lawsuit against the secretary of state's office and against McClanahan to have him removed from the party's primary ballot because of his alleged ties to the KKK.

In a ruling last month, Cole County Judge Cotton Walker said the Republican Party remains free to disavow McClanahan's candidacy for governor. It also agreed with the secretary of state's office that it does not have the authority to remove a candidate's name from the ballot once a filing fee has been accepted.

McClanahan, of Milo in southwest Missouri, described himself as “pro-white” but not racist. He was photographed performing what appeared to be a Nazi salute in a photo posted on social media. He also reportedly received a one-year “honorary” membership in the Klan.

The case was appealed to the Missouri Court of Appeals for the Western District.