The children of a Republican candidate for the Missouri House of Representatives — who once crowed that “Hitler was right” — are begging constituents: Don’t vote for our anti-Semitic, racist, homophobic dad.
The candidate, Steve West, openly shares his bonkers conspiracy theorist views, including that “Jewish cabals” are “harvesting baby parts” through Planned Parenthood, on his morning radio show called “The Hard Truth with Jack Justice,” according to the Kansas City Star.
The 64-year-old is seeking election to the Missouri General Assembly after winning the August primary for District 15 — a political aspiration that his children are having a hard time fathoming.
“I can’t imagine him being in any level of government,” his daughter, Emily West, told the newspaper Monday. “A lot of his views are just very out there. He’s made multiple comments that are racist and homophobic and how he doesn’t like the Jews.”
Her brother, Andy West, put it more bluntly.
“My dad’s a fanatic. He must be stopped. His ideology is pure hatred. It’s totally insane,” he said Tuesday. “If he gets elected, it would legitimize him. Then he would become a state official, and he’s saying that Jews shouldn’t even have civil rights.”
West’s concerned kids realized it’s very possible their dad could end up getting elected judging by the support they’ve seen from residents of the Clay County House district.
“I think it’s just insane that people are putting out his signs,” Emily West said. “You see his signs everywhere. I don’t understand how people can put out his signs knowing the comments that he’s made.”
On his show on Jan. 23, 2017, West declared, “Looking back in history, unfortunately, Hitler was right about what was taking place in Germany. And who was behind it.”
And on his Oct. 15 episode, West blasted the US’s relationship with Israel.
“They have been running this assault on America,” he said. “They have been giving us gay marriage, pornography, abortion, everything that’s anti-Christian … This is what they do. This is how they corrupt a Christian nation, because they are an anti-Christ people.”
West’s comments have sparked a full-throated rebuke from the Missouri Republican Party.
“Steve West’s shocking and vile comments do not reflect the position of the Missouri Republican Party or indeed of any decent individual,” the party told the Star. “West’s abhorrent rhetoric has absolutely no place in the Missouri Republican Party or anywhere. We wholeheartedly condemn his comments.”
In the wake of the deadly Pittsburgh synagogue shooting over the weekend that left 11 worshipers dead, West told the newspaper that he “absolutely renounce[s] what took place there.”
“I have never, never suggested anything like that,” he added. “When stuff like that happens, it is a terrible travesty and injustice. I would never condone any violence against any people because of a specific race or religion or anything else.”
The wannabe pol also insisted he wasn’t anti-Semitic.
“I subscribe to our Declaration of Independence that all men are created equal,” he said. “I don’t judge anyone by race or the color of their skin. I look at ideologies and I object to things on principle. It has nothing to do with skin color or race.”
Andy West agreed that his father wasn’t the violent type — but said his views alone are damaging enough.
“Certainly the terrorist that engaged in that synagogue shooting and my father have the same objective,” the son said. “That objective is the removal of Jews from America. And certainly, if somebody who is already unstable gets the kind of message that he’s preaching, it’s all bad.”
Steve West defended his radio show, saying he discusses “hard-hitting” issues.
“All of my shows are well documented,” he told the Star. “At the end of every show, I call everyone to Christ and Christianity, because that’s the only answer.”
He also said he was confident he was going to win office.
“I have a good reputation. These people are trying to paint me as some monster. But I have been in this community for a long time,” he added. “A lot of people know me, and they don’t have those experiences with me. There’s a good chance I’m going to win.”