The headlines regarding the supposed “GOP candidacy” of avowed Nazi Arthur Jones for the Illinois congressional third district are entirely stilted.
“Holocaust Denier Wins Republican Nomination In Illinois Congressional Race,” announced Forward. “Holocaust denier is officially the GOP nominee in Chicago-area House race,” reported CNN. “Neo-Nazi Arthur Jones becomes Republican nominee in Illinois,” chimed Al Jazeera.
Contrary to the headlines, all of which are designed for those who click “share” and then jump into the comment section to say “Trump’s America!” without actually reading the article, holocaust-denying Arthur Jones did not “win” the GOP nomination; he stole it by default because the Illinois Republican Party did not find another candidate to oppose him.
The only honest headline came from The New York Times, of all places: “Denounced by His Party as a Nazi, Arthur Jones Wins Illinois G.O.P. Congressional Primary.”
Indeed, the Illinois GOP has been vociferously denouncing Jones ever since he announced his candidacy, correctly characterizing him as a Nazi who has no place in the state’s party. In fact, Jones has sought the nomination as many as five times and each time he met with opposition from a viable candidate. After Jones produced petition signatures that were valid, the GOP could not push him from the race without drafting another candidate.
“Going forward, the Illinois Republican Party will explore all options to oppose Mr. Jones’ candidacy — whether that be supporting an independent candidate for IL-03 after the primary, encouraging a write-in campaign, and potentially other options,” said the state party’s executive director. “Nazis have no place in our nation’s democracy, and to that end, we will continue to vehemently oppose everything Mr. Jones stands for.”
Part of the reason the state GOP failed to draft a viable candidate in time may have been because the district has leaned heavily blue since the 1970s and the GOP did not wish to waste resources, which they will now have to spend on ensuring that people know that the GOP does not stand with Arthur Jones.
The New York Times reports that the state GOP has been “blanketing the district with campaign fliers and robocalls urging voters to ‘stop Illinois Nazis,’ according to a robocall script provided by the party. Mr. Jones said he had received three robocalls himself.”
“Arthur Jones is not a real Republican — he is a Nazi whose disgusting, bigoted views have no place in our nation’s discourse,” stated Tim Schneider, the Illinois Republican Party chairman. Schneider urged voters “to skip over his name” when they go to the polls.
Arthur Jones will face off against the conservative-leaning Democrat Dan Lipinski, who won a narrow primary victory over his progressive opponent in the face of fierce opposition due to his pro-life beliefs.