These Extremists Are Running for Election in November

Over 500 candidates running for state legislator positions in November are affiliated with far-right groups on Facebook, promoting militias, gun rights, and Christian nationalism, according to research from the Institute for Research and Education on Human Rights. Despite initial setbacks in GOP primaries, many extremist candidates have secured positions in the general election and are expected to win.

Former research fellow at George Washington University's Program on Extremism, Luke Baumgartner, notes that these candidates have been influenced by the Trump administration's approach. The executive branch, Baumgartner explains, has effectively given them a green light to express ideas that would have been unacceptable during previous Republican administrations.

Recent years have witnessed a rise in extremist rhetoric, leading to real-world political threats. Incidents of terrorism and targeted violence increased by 19% in 2025 compared to 2024. The US Capitol Police reported a 58% increase in threat assessment cases against members of Congress, and the US Marshals Service documented a 5% rise in threats against nearly 400 judges.

Here are five races to watch ahead of the November midterms, featuring candidates with extremist ideologies or connections to extremist figures:

1. Texas Railroad Commissioner Race: Bo French, the GOP candidate, has posted racist comments about students celebrating at a University of Texas football game. He advocates for prioritizing Americans and has called for mass deportations. While previously criticized by Republicans, French remains a strong contender in this tight race.

2. Arizona's 5th Congressional District Race: Mark Lamb, the GOP nominee, has deep ties to paramilitary groups, anti-immigration organizations, and the far-right constitutional sheriffs movement. Lamb has protested COVID lockdowns, supported the "stop the steal" movement, and has sympathized with the January 6 Capitol rioters. Despite accusations of sex scandals, Lamb won his primary and is expected to secure victory.

3. Texas' 23rd Congressional District Race: Brandon Herrera, known as a "guntuber," is running for Congress in Texas. Herrera's history includes sharing sexist, racist, and antisemitic opinions, such as comparing feminists' weight to whales and describing liberal women discussing guns as "fat and wrong." Trump endorsed Herrera, despite concerns from House Speaker Mike Johnson.

4. Georgia's Senate Race: Mike Collins, the Trump-backed GOP Senate candidate, is running against Democratic incumbent Jon Ossoff. Collins has spent considerable time promoting extremist views and has been a vocal supporter of former President Trump. With a competitive race ahead, the outcome remains uncertain.