The Republican Party of Missouri is removing gubernatorial candidate Darrell Leon McClanahan III from the primary ballot over his affiliation with the Ku Klux Klan.
“The Missouri Republican Party has been made aware that Darrell Leon McClanahan III filed for Governor as a Republican despite his affiliation with the Ku Klux Klan, which fundamentally contradicts our party’s values and platform. We have begun the process of having Mr. McClanahan removed from the ballot as a Republican candidate,” the Missouri GOP said on X. “We condemn any association with hate groups and are taking immediate action to rectify this situation. Our party upholds respect for all individuals, and we’re dedicated to addressing any challenges to these principles decisively.”
McClanahan filed for the race Tuesday, when the filing process began. He immediately came under criticism for his affiliation with the hate group.
In a 2022 lawsuit, McClanahan sued the Anti-Defamation League for calling him a member of the KKK. He said he was an “honorary” member only. A photograph also surfaced showing McClanahan next to a man dressed in white robes in front of a burning cross giving a Nazi salute.
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Former Republican Missouri state Rep. Shamed Dogan tweeted the photo of McCalanahan with a message to the Missouri GOP.
“Hey @MissouriGOP I just learned the candidate listed first on our primary ballot for Governor is a cross-burning KKK member who ran for US Senate 2 years ago and freely admits his KKK membership & white supremacist beliefs,” Dogan said on X.
