He founded the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan in Louisiana in 1974 and later created the National Association for the Advancement of White People. He also expressed his belief that Trump stands for the rights of “European Americans”, reports Right Wing Watch.
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Initially, Duke had said he was leaning toward mounting a challenge against Republican Rep. Steve Scalise, who once described himself as “David Duke without the baggage”. On his website, he said he would be running as a Republican for the state of Louisiana’s Senate seat that had been filled by David Vitter. “However what makes me different is I also demand respect for the rights and the heritage of European Americans”, he said.
A former leader of the Klu Klux Klan has praised Donald Trump’s speech at the Republican National Convention, saying he “couldn’t have said it better”.
Duke is a long-time supporter of Trump’s 2016 campaign. “I don’t know anything about what you’re even talking about with white supremacy or white supremacists”, Trump said during an interview on CNN. Trump was roundly criticized for taking days to disavow the support from the former Klansman, and when he did, appeared annoyed in having to do so.
“Just so you understand, I don’t know anything about David Duke, OK?”
Democrat Bernie Sanders also said at the time: “America’s first black president can not and will not be succeeded by a hatemonger who refuses to condemn the KKK”. He ran unsuccessfully for U.S. Senate in 1990 and for Louisiana governor in 1991. He added that he was “overjoyed” to see Trump and other Americans embrace values that he has supported, which he characterized as “equal rights for all, special interests for none”.
Friday was the deadline for U.S. Senate candidates from Louisiana to register. Almost two dozen candidates have signed up for the Senate race.
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Duke, a white supremacist and former grand wizard in the Ku Klux Klan, served one term as a state representative representing suburban New Orleans more than two decades ago. “He will not have the support of the NRSC under any circumstance”. “The Republican Party of Louisiana will play an active role in opposing David Duke’s candidacy”.
