Individuals who belong to extremist organizations or harbor extremist views employ a variety of strategies to influence mainstream society, one of which is running for public office. Once elected, these candidates are able to affect laws and public policy from the inside as a part of the political system. Exposing Extremism in Elections — a project of the SPLC Action Fund — is an attempt to reveal this strategy and arm voters with the information they need to protect our democracy from extremist influences.
Exposing Extremism in Elections — a project of the SPLC Action Fund — aims to educate the public about political candidates’ apparent ties to, or sympathies toward, extremist organizations or ideologies.
The Exposing Extremism in Elections data set includes a list of candidates running for public office who our research indicates have ties to extremist groups or ideologies. This data set provides an easy and accessible way to research and explore candidates and their ties to such extremism.
This guide will give you an overview of the Exposing Extremism in Elections data set, the type of information it contains and how to read and use it.
Extremists in the U.S. come in many different forms – white nationalists, anti-LGBTQ zealots, racist skinheads, neo-Confederates and more.
Find information on elections, including primary and general election dates.
If you have information about a candidate who has ties to extremism, please contact us.
