The recent campaign ad from Valentina Gomez, a fringe Republican candidate running for secretary of state in Missouri, has sparked controversy and condemnation online. The ad, featuring Ms. Gomez jogging through a historic district of St. Louis while making homophobic remarks, has drawn criticism from both Democrats and Republicans.
In the video, Ms. Gomez declares, “So don’t be weak and gay. Stay hard,” using an expletive to emphasize her statement. The ad also includes a photo of Ms. Gomez posing in front of a truck with guns in each hand, wearing a National Rifle Association hat. The neighborhood where the video was filmed, Soulard, has a significant L.G.B.T. community, adding to the outrage over the ad.
Despite the backlash, Ms. Gomez’s campaign has garnered support from far-right lawmakers, online conservative influencers, and even expelled former Representative George Santos, who is gay. However, her controversial remarks and actions, including burning L.G.B.T.Q. books with a homemade flamethrower in a previous video, have raised concerns about her candidacy.
Ms. Gomez’s campaign has been marked by inflammatory rhetoric and attacks against marginalized communities, earning her attention but also criticism. Her focus on issues like election security and her denial of the 2020 election results have further fueled the controversy surrounding her candidacy.
As the race for secretary of state in Missouri heats up, Ms. Gomez’s unconventional campaign tactics and divisive rhetoric have made her a polarizing figure in the Republican primary. Despite the attention she has garnered, it remains to be seen how her controversial campaign will impact the outcome of the election.
