WASHINGTON — Georgia Republicans are fighting to hold on to their narrow majorities, but none of them have found the time to denounce racist QAnon conspiracy theorist Marjorie Taylor Greene, who emerged victorious from her Republican primary runoff last night in northwest Georgia. The FBI has labeled the bizarre theory a domestic terrorism threat and adherents have been linked to acts of violence across the country. Despite her extremist views, Republicans have embraced the latest addition to the party.
“Republicans have spent years appealing to conspiracy theories and spreading disinformation, and now they’re learning that you reap what you sow,” said Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee President Jessica Post. “Will any Georgia Republicans step up to disavow the new face of their party? I don’t know about you, but I’m not holding my breath.”
For the uninitiated, QAnon is a sprawling pro-Trump mythos about a “deep-state” cabal that is plotting against the president. Republican candidates and even elected officials have increasingly embraced the bizarre movement, proving that there’s no bottom for the party in the Trump era.
Marjorie Taylor Greene has, among other things, said George Soros turned Jews over to the Nazis, claimed the Las Vegas shooting was orchestrated, spread Islamaphobic rhetoric, and described African Americans as “slaves” to Democrats. Despite all this, Georgia’s Republican establishment refused to take sides in her primary runoff.
With competitive races up and down the ballot in the Peach State this year, anointing Greene as the new face of the party could have a steep price.
“I’ve stopped being surprised about how low Republicans are willing to sink,” added Post. “They’ve courted extremist elements for years, and we’re going to make sure that voters remember that in November.”
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