A Missouri Republican who’s on record spouting racist, Islamophobic, and antisemitic comments, has won the primary for the state’s House of Representatives.
Steve West defeated his three opponents this Tuesday for a seat in Missouri’s Clay County district with a whopping 49.5 percent of the vote according to various reports.
During an appearance on KCXL radio in January of last year, West said suggested that Hitler’s motivations in the lead-up to the Holocaust were justified.
“Looking back in history, unfortunately, Hitler was right about what was taking place in Germany and who was behind it,” West said.
I denounce Steve West's racist, antisemitic views and comments. They don't reflect my views or values, or those of #Northland Republicans whom I know. (1/2)
— Kevin Corlew (@KevinCorlew) August 10, 2018
He has also talked about “Jewish cabals” that he claims are “harvesting baby parts” from Planned Parenthood and abusing children. His YouTube channel contains videos that also promote Islamophobia, racism, and homophobia.
“I’m trying to get sense of why he flew under the radar, and I’m not sure I have a great answer,” the Anti-Defamation League’s Karen Aroesty told the Kansas City Star. “What is a person who is elected into a position of power going to do with beliefs like this?”
https://twitter.com/johnlray/status/1027687517125046272
This Thursday, the Missouri Republican Party issued a statement distancing itself from West.
“Steve West’s shocking and vile comments do not reflect the position of the Missouri Republican Party or indeed of any decent individual,” the statement said. “West’s abhorrent rhetoric has absolutely no place in the Missouri Republican Party or anywhere. We wholeheartedly condemn his comments.”
The Clay County GOP says it has no idea how West surged to the position he’s in.
“To our knowledge, no member of the Missouri Republican Party, the House Republican Campaign Committee, or sitting member of the General Assembly recruited Mr. West to run for office; we find his statements to be vile, offensive, and out of line with our Party’s values,” their statement said.
West now claims his comments were taken out of context and that he believes in equality.
Featured image via West campaign website
