In a recent ruling, a Missouri judge has denied the request by the Missouri GOP to remove Darrell McClanahan, a long-shot gubernatorial candidate with ties to the Ku Klux Klan, from the August Republican primary. This decision allows McClanahan to continue his campaign against other Republican contenders, including Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft and Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe, for the nomination to replace Governor Mike Parson.

McClanahan's lawyer, Dave Roland, hailed the court's ruling as a victory for upholding fairness in the political selection process. Roland argued that party leaders should not possess "almost unlimited discretion to choose who's going to be allowed on a primary ballot." He further claimed that the GOP's case against McClanahan served primarily as a public display of their disassociation from racism and antisemitism.

Earlier this year, McClanahan, who describes himself as "pro-white," confirmed the authenticity of photos showing him making the Nazi salute, causing the Missouri GOP to denounce his candidacy after initially accepting his party dues. However, Judge Cotton Walker's verdict highlighted the party's ability to publicly disavow McClanahan and his views, even as he remains on the primary ballot.

Despite McClanahan's assertions of not being racist or antisemitic, his past involvement with the Ku Klux Klan and his admission of participating in a "private religious Christian identity cross lighting ceremony falsely described as a cross burning" have raised concerns about his beliefs and associations.

The Missouri GOP lawyers asserted that they were unaware of McClanahan's background when he filed as a candidate in February. This claim contradicted McClanahan's argument that the party was aware of his beliefs, as he had previously run as a Republican candidate for the US Senate in 2022.

The Republican primary in Missouri is significant as Governor Mike Parson is ineligible for re-election due to term limits. Despite the GOP's attempt to distance themselves from McClanahan, the decision by Judge Walker solidifies his place in the race, where he will compete against prominent Republican figures for the gubernatorial nomination.

The Associated Press reached out to the Missouri GOP's executive director for comment, but there has been no immediate response. McClanahan's persistence in remaining on the Republican ticket underscores the challenges faced by political parties in managing controversial candidates and their impact on overall party image.

As the August primary approaches, the outcome of the race will determine who will carry the Republican Party's banner into the general election for the Missouri gubernatorial position, leaving voters to weigh the candidate's platforms and personal backgrounds in their decision-making process.