Second QAnon supporter wins Republican Senate primary
Political outsider becomes latest GOP candidate to win despite conspiracy support
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.QAnon conspiracy supporter Lauren Witzke has become the second to win a Republican Senate primary this year, after an election win in Delaware.
The Republican candidate defeated her opponent, James DeMartino, who was officially endorsed by the party in Tuesday’s primary race.
Mr DeMartino had made two previously unsuccessful bids for the seat held by a Democratic candidate, in what is Joe Biden’s home state.
Ms Witzke, who was pictured wearing QAnon t-shirts and tweeting with the QAnon hashtag, has tried to distance herself from the far-right conspiracy theory, saying it was “hype”.
QAnon supporters are said to believe in the existence of "deep state" enemies of Donald Trump, some of whom have engaged in paedophilia, with information leaked by an inside figure called “Q”.
Pence cancels Montana fundraiser appearance upon discovering organisers support QAnon
Democrat running against QAnon supporter Marjorie Taylor Greene suddenly drops out of Georgia race for 'personal reasons'
‘Forcing boys to wear masks is emasculating’: GOP QAnon candidate defies CDC guidance on face coverings- A third of Republicans believe QAnon theory of deep state paedophile cannibals is 'mostly true', poll finds
Ms Witzke, whose “America First” agenda calls for a ban on immigration to the United States for 10 years, told The Associated Press (AP) in January that she stopped promoting QAnon months earlier, saying it was "more hype than substance".
That did not stop voters in Tuesday’s primary race from referencing Ms Witzke’s support for QAnon, with an 18-year-old, Maggie Kosior, telling AP that "She is a supporter of them and so am I".
Ms Witzke is among several controversial candidates with ties to far-right conspiracy thinking, including businesswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, who won a Republican primary in Georgia despite her support for QAnon.
Still, the Delaware Republican will likely face an uphill battle to defeat her Democratic opponent, Senator Chris Coons, who won his party’s primary.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments