In a concerning development, it has been revealed that at least 66 members of an anti-government group, affiliated with far-right militia figure Ammon Bundy, have sought positions of influence within the Republican party in Oregon. These individuals campaigned for Republican precinct committee person (PCP) slots in three central Oregon counties during recent elections, with some winning their positions by default due to a lack of opponents.

The primary responsibility of PCPs is to elect executive members for the county-level GOP apparatus, making their role crucial in shaping the party's direction and policies. This move by the anti-government group appears to be part of a coordinated effort to infiltrate and influence mainstream political bodies through a strategy known as "entryism."

The evidence for the candidates' affiliation with the People's Rights Network (PRN) group, specifically the People's Rights Oregon 5 (PRO5) chapter, and the organized nature of their campaign, comes from intercepted radio conversations among PRN members. These recordings were provided to The Guardian by an anonymous amateur radio operator, who fears retribution from the organization due to its paramilitary connections.

The intercepted conversations revealed discussions ranging from planning and evaluating protests against Covid-19 vaccines and masks, armed interactions with intruders, to sourcing supplies. These revelations raise concerns about the extent of anti-government infiltration within the grassroots level of the Republican party, both presently and in the immediate future.

PRO5's strategy closely resembles the "precinct strategy" advocated by figures in the MAGA movement, such as Steve Bannon and former President Donald Trump. Devin Burghart, an expert on far-right extremism from the Institute for Research and Education on Human Rights (IREHR), noted that the group aims to take over local party structures to effect change from within.

Ammon Bundy, known for his involvement in the armed standoff with law enforcement at Oregon's Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in 2016, founded PRN in April 2020. Initially centered around protesting Covid-19 measures, the group expanded nationwide, organized by state and subdivided into areas. PRO5, the Oregon chapter, boasts approximately 1,400 members and is considered one of the most successful in terms of organization.

Notably, PRO5 already saw successes in the Deschutes county Republican primaries in 2022, with several People's Rights members elected to PCP roles. The group eventually took control of the Deschutes county Republican central committee, electing Scott Stuart as chair and Connie Whelchel as vice-chair. Now, PRO5 appears to be employing the same strategy in neighboring counties within their territory.

PRO5 members communicate through radio networks, utilizing handheld radios and repeaters to extend their range. Although repeaters are typically used for public benefit and maintained by organizations or agencies, PRO5 has exclusive access to its own network. By cross-matching FCC records and callsigns used in PRO5 radio meet-ups, The Guardian was able to confirm that at least 34 PRO5 members ran for PCP positions in Deschutes county, 12 in Crook county, and at least 20 in Jefferson county.

With PRO5 candidates running in uncontested precincts, they are positioned to form a powerful voting bloc within the central committees of these counties. One notable candidate, BJ Soper, a prominent figure in the "patriot movement," has a history of participating in armed standoffs with government agencies and ties to paramilitary groups.

The revelations about the organized participation of the anti-government group in the Oregon Republican primaries raise concerns about their influence on local party structures. Experts caution that the strategic pivot towards politics indicates the group's growing focus and dedication to shaping the Republican party at the grassroots level.

As the electoral fate of these candidates remains uncertain, the extent of anti-government infiltration in the Republican party at the local level continues to be a subject of scrutiny.