Edwin Edwards, who beat David Duke during a contentious 1991 gubernatorial race, says he was surprised to hear that Duke is now running for Senate.
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“However”, he added, “what makes me different is I also demand respect for the rights and the heritage of European Americans”.
Duke, who seeks to represent the USA state of Louisiana in the Senate, was convicted for tax fraud and embezzling funds in 2002, and spent one year in federal prison.
Roger Villere, the chairman of the Republican Party of Louisiana, and Ward Baker, the NRSC Executive Director, and U.S. Senate candidate and current Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell made statements regarding Duke’s plan to run. With the GOP having formally nominated a sexist, xenophobic demagogue, and with their statewide candidates here in Louisiana working to elect that same sort of hatred and divisiveness to the presidency– it’s inevitable that a racist horror like Duke would be emboldened to run, and to run as a Republican.
Duke also starts with name recognition that other candidates don’t have, Edwards said. “In that sense, maybe he peeks his head above the pack”. He said, “I have joined the political arena so that the powerful can no longer beat up on people who cannot defend themselves.” the next day, Duke ended his own announcement by saying, “The time is now. Couldn’t have said it better!” “He is hard to support, and he should be”. Duke said he was “shattered” by the slayings of police.
The former KKK leader hit on many Trump talking points, from “America first”, to fair trade, to opposition to campaign finance.
In a lengthy speech, Duke said the recent slayings of three law enforcement officers in Baton Rouge were among the catalysts for his Senate bid. Two of the officers killed were white; one was black.
But apparently, Duke now feels there’s room for the both of them in Washington.
In his campaign announcement, Duke said he has always supported “equal rights for all, special interests for none”. Almost two dozen candidates-including Rep. John Fleming (R-La.), Rep. Charles Boustany (R-La.), and state treasurer John Kennedy (R-La.)-are seeking to win the November 8 election. The billionaire businessman came under fire during the primary campaign for not immediately disavowing Duke’s endorsement.
Duke is a registered Republican, according to the Associated Press.
Duke founded a KKK chapter in 1974, and won a seat in the Louisiana legislature 15 years later.
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Along with heading various campaigns in Louisiana over the years, Duke ran for president in 1988 as a Democrat and ran again four years later as a Republican.
