Joe Kent, who lost the 2022 race for Washington’s third congressional district — and who is best remembered for comparing abortion to slavery, calling for a national abortion ban, vehement 2020 election denialism, appearing on neo-Nazi podcasts, and claiming the FBI was “in on” the Trump assassination attempt — is set to take the debate stage tonight.
“Joe Kent is hoping voters have amnesia about his support for a national abortion ban with no exceptions, becoming besties with white nationalists, and the rightful reputation he earned as a conspiracy theorist — but we’re not counting on it,” said American Bridge spokesperson Philip Shulman. “Joe Kent’s attempts to moderate are a waste of everyone’s time as he showed his true colors during his failed bid for Congress in 2022.”
Here’s what you need to know about Joe Kent:
Is dangerously anti-abortion:
- In 2022, Kent answered “none” when asked under what circumstances abortion should be legal.
- Kent repeatedly compared abortion to slavery.
- In July of 2022, Kent stated he was in favor of a national abortion ban, but then reversed course in January of 2024.
- Kent deleted mentions of abortion from his website.
Has a deep affinity for white nationalists:
- Appeared on a podcast hosted by a neo-Nazi where he said “I don’t think there’s anything wrong with there being a white people special interest group.”
- Came to the defense of infamous white nationalist Nick Fuentes, who at one point was involved with one of Kent’s campaign strategy calls.
- Kent gave an interview to Nazi sympathizer and white nationalist Greyson Arnold, who also attended a campaign fundraiser and primary victory party.
- It was also reported that Kent attended and spoke at a rally hosted by the Washington State Three Percenters, an anti-government extremist group.
Thinks January 6th was an “intelligence operation” by the US government:
- Kent claimed people wanted the government to admit being involved in the January 6th riots.
- He also called those involved with the insurrection who were arrested “political prisoners.”
- Kent said “we must fully adjudicate the presidential election of 2020.”
- Kent attended an election-denier conference and signed onto a lawsuit baselessly claiming that more than 400,000 ballots were tampered with in Washington State.
Is no friend to older Americans:
- In 2022, Kent declared he wanted to raise the Social Security retirement age, only to backtrack in 2024.
- During the COVID pandemic, Kent fear-mongered and discouraged people, including older Americans, not to get the vaccine by calling it “experimental gene therapy.”
- Kent claimed Dr. Anthony Fauci should be held accountable on murder charges.
Published: Oct 2, 2024