I’m worried that people will vote for a candidate who’s dividing the country, inciting racial hatred, and stoking xenophobia. No, not that candidate—though the thought that he might win the Presidency scares the you-know-what out of me. No, I’m talking about another contender seeking national public office.
David Duke recently announced that he’s running for the U.S. Senate in Louisiana. Yes, that David Duke. “We must stop the massive immigration and ethnic cleansing of people whose forefathers created America,” said the former Ku Klux Klan grand wizard who intends to fight for the “rights and heritage of European Americans.”
Much of the Republican party was quick to denounce Duke. That includes Donald Trump, whose spokesperson attested that “Mr. Trump has disavowed David Duke and will continue to do so.” (Though you may recall that Trump himself would not immediately rebuke Duke months after Duke endorsed him for President.) Nonetheless, the wannabe Senator cited Trump as his inspiration to run for office.
Previously, Duke won an election to become a state representative in Louisiana in 1989. In subsequent failed attempts to become the state’s governor, as well as U.S. Congressman and Senator, Duke earned anywhere from 30 to 43 percent of the Republican primary vote.
Let’s pause to think about. At least 1 in 3 Republicans in Louisiana supported a guy who advocates for segregation—and you can imagine what else he champions with the hood on.
Thankfully, today polls show that the vast majority of voters disapprove of Duke. Still, the 66-year-old white supremacist insists that “the climate of this country has moved in my direction,” adding that Americans are “embracing the core issues I have fought for my entire life.”
“I believe my time has come,” says Duke. That’s doubtful. He has no realistic hope of winning the seat, but it’s hard to argue that if there ever were a ripe time for a racist to rise to national public office, it would be now. Because it’s happening now.
As much as I fear a Trump presidency, I also worry that it could embolden other politicians to run—and win!—on hateful platforms. In other words, Duke may not win this time. But under a Trump administration, Louisiana may not be so lucky next time.
