In a bizarre and offensive campaign video, Missouri Republican candidate Valentina Gomez jogged down a deserted suburban street in a poorly fitting ballistic vest, spewing hateful rhetoric.
With a stern expression, she warned viewers not to be “weak and gay,” urging them to “stay fucking hard.” This cringeworthy display has garnered over two million views, with many commenters mocking Gomez’s attempt to provoke attention for her secretary of state campaign.
Gomez’s video is part of a larger pattern of anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment in Missouri, where gender-affirming care for minors was banned in 2023 and a flurry of anti-trans bills were introduced to the state Senate.
While only a few of these bills passed, the hostile environment persists. Gomez’s fixation on demonizing queer people raises questions about her qualifications for the secretary of state role and whether she would make exceptions for individuals who identify as weak or gay.
Her previous video featuring book burning, a tactic reminiscent of Nazi Germany, further highlights her extremist views. As the election approaches, it remains to be seen how Missouri voters will respond to Gomez’s divisive rhetoric.