Extremists on Ballot

Five weeks until US midterms with hundreds of Republican candidates openly expressing virulent hatred, sharing racist content online, and having ties to white supremacists.

“President Donald Trump and his administration have openly embraced, endorsed and defended many of these candidates.”

Texas State Legislator Race

Over 500 Texas state legislators are members of far-right Facebook groups promoting militias, gun rights, and Christian nationalism.

“According to data collected by the Institute for Research and Education on Human Rights and shared with WIRED.”

Texas Railroad Commissioner

Bo French, GOP candidate for Texas Railroad Commissioner, posted racist comments about South Asian students celebrating at a University of Texas football game.

“Like bodycam footage exposed criminals, social media is exposing how many Americans have been displaced by foreigners.”

Arizona Congressional Race

Mark Lamb, GOP nominee for Arizona’s 5th district, has ties to paramilitary groups, anti-immigration organizations, and far-right constitutional sheriffs.

“He has protested Covid lockdowns and vaccine mandates, expressed support for the 'stop the steal' movement, and sympathized with Capitol rioters.”

Texas Congressional Race

Brandon Herrera, GOP candidate for Texas Uvalde district, has shared sexist, racist, and antisemitic opinions, comparing feminists to whales and nuclear bombs.

“The fact that you kept your cum trophy doesn’t make you any less wrong about the dumb shit that you say.”

Georgia Senate Race

Mike Collins, Trump-backed GOP candidate in Georgia, has ties to white supremacists and antisemitic figures through staff and associates.

“Former Collins staffer William Paul hurled antisemitic insults at representative Mike Lawler from New York.”

Florida State House Race

Marshall Rawson, Florida GOP activist, marched at Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville and posted racist remarks online.

“He has suggested that gay people should be criminally charged and possibly executed.”

Extremist Rhetoric Impact

Terrorism and targeted violence incidents rose 19 percent in 2025 compared to 2024, with a 58 percent increase in threat assessments against Congress members.

“The US Capitol Police reported an increase in 'threat assessment cases' against members of Congress for the third year in a row.”

Trump's Influence

Luke Baumgartner, former research fellow at George Washington University’s Program on Extremism, says candidates are taking a page from Trump’s playbook.

“In essence, the executive branch has handed them a permission slip to say and do what would have been unthinkable during the George W. Bush, McCain, or [Mitt] Romney eras of the GOP.”

Election Outcomes

Polling shows Mike Collins is trailing Jon Ossoff in Georgia, while Bo French is a slim favorite in Texas Railroad Commissioner race.

“New polling this week suggests French, who has not been publicly endorsed by Trump, is a slim favorite to win the seat.”

What Happens Next

Extremist candidates could influence November elections with Trump’s support, raising concerns about rising extremism and violence.