WASHINGTON — Multiple Republican candidates for the House of Delegates have demonstrated their far-right radicalism by aligning themselves with the January 6th insurrection at the Capitol and the right-wing Stop the Steal movement. On Wednesday at a Trump-Youngkin rally, extremists in attendance pledged allegiance to a flag that was waved at the insurrection at the Capitol on January 6th. Amanda Chase, who attended the rally this week, and GOP candidate Otto Wachsmann went on the conservative John Fredericks Radio Show and embraced the conspiracy theories surrounding Stop the Steal, which asserts Trump won the 2020 presidential election. Unfortunately, Republicans need six seats to control the House, and at least six Republican challengers for competitive Democrat-held seats have pledged to support legislation to audit the 2020 election if they win the majority.
“There is no denying that the Virginia Republican Party is the party of insurrection and extremism,” said DLCC President Jessica Post. “Instead of focusing on issues that matter to Virginians, such as strengthening voting rights, making Virginia a better place for workers and small businesses, and expanding rural broadband access, Republicans have embraced pro-Trump extremism and are hoping to relitigate the 2020 election. It is clear that they are willing to steal future elections if they gain the majority, and there is zero accountability from anyone in the party.”
Here is an overview of some of the deeply anti-democratic trends that the Virginia GOP has embraced:
- On Wednesday at a Trump-Youngkin rally, extremists in attendance pledged allegiance to a flag that was waved at the insurrection at the Capitol on January 6th.
- Amanda Chase went on the conservative John Fredericks Radio Show and said, “I know how they’re stealing elections, and we’re not gonna let that happen this year.”
- Otto Wachsmann went on the same program and agreed with the host that “you have to stop them from stealing” and “fraud is part of the Democratic plan,” urging listeners to vote for him because “we need to make sure that we shore up our voting integrity laws and make sure those votes count.”
- At least six Republican candidates in competitive races for currently Democrat-held seats, including Nick Clemente, Christopher Stone, Steve Pleickhardt, Tim Cox, Michael Dillender, and Tim Anderson, have pledged to support legislation to audit the 2020 election in 2022.
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