The Missouri Republican Party is taking steps to exclude Darrell Leon McClanahan III from the GOP primary for governor. This action follows the resurgence of a controversial photo showing McClanahan making a gesture resembling a Nazi salute in front of a burning cross, accompanied by an individual in Klan attire. The party has publicly condemned McClanahan’s ties to the Ku Klux Klan, stating such associations starkly oppose Republican principles.

In response, McClanahan criticized the party’s decision on social media, accusing it of hypocrisy and being anti-white. His campaign platform, which identifies him as a conservative voice against “the woke agenda,” has drawn criticism. The push to remove him from the ballot was catalyzed by comments from Shamed Dogan, a Black former Republican state representative, who highlighted McClanahan’s presence in the race.

McClanahan, who has a history of extremist activities, had his extremist ties highlighted by the Anti-Defamation League in 2022. Despite a series of unsuccessful electoral bids and a failed lawsuit against the ADL for defamation and alleged election interference, McClanahan denies formal membership in the KKK. He admits to attending a Christian Identity ceremony, which he insists was misrepresented as a KKK event.