The Missouri GOP has taken legal action to remove a gubernatorial candidate with ties to the Ku Klux Klan from the Republican ballot. The party's lawyers have filed a lawsuit seeking to prevent Darrell Leon McClanahan, a candidate from southwestern Missouri, from participating in the GOP primary election to succeed Governor Mike Parson, who is ineligible to run again due to term limits.
McClanahan, who has openly identified as 'pro-white,' was one of nearly 280 Republican candidates who submitted their candidacy on filing day in February. The Missouri GOP stated that they were unaware of McClanahan's background when he initially registered as a candidate.
Upon discovering his beliefs and connections to the Ku Klux Klan, the party disavowed McClanahan. The candidate has not responded to requests for comment on the matter.
In a previous legal dispute with the Anti-Defamation League, McClanahan contested being labeled a white supremacist. He clarified that while he is not a formal member of the Ku Klux Klan, he was granted an honorary one-year membership. McClanahan also mentioned attending a private Christian Identity Cross lighting ceremony, which he claimed was inaccurately characterized as a cross burning.
As of now, no court hearings have been scheduled regarding the Missouri GOP's lawsuit against McClanahan.
