Oklahoma residents will vote on Tuesday to determine if they want to remove a city commissioner with connections to white nationalism.
The recall election is happening in Enid, Okla., where people will decide whether Judd Blevins, a commissioner for Ward 1, should continue in his position.
The Enid Social Justice Committee has accused accuses Blevins of being photographed several times at the Charlottesville Unite the Right rally in 2017 and labeling him as “an open Nazi”.
The committee also claims that Blevins has associations with a chat room that planned the march and with posts from a hate group called Identity Evropa, which is known for its involvement in the deadly march.
The committee’s website states that Blevins has reportedly organized pro-Nazi events in Charlottesville and in Oklahoma.
The committee gathered enough signatures to initiate a recall election, and now voters will determine whether Blevins should maintain his position or if someone else should take over.
Blevins, a veteran of the Iraq War, was elected in February 2023 after a local newspaper reported his connections to white nationalism. In a community forum on Tuesday, he acknowledged his participation in the rally and his affiliation with Identity Evropa, but claimed that he now opposes all forms of racial hate and discrimination. The Associated Press reported.
Patrick Anderson, a Republican representing Enid in the state Senate, told the AP that he believes Blevin’s ties to white nationalism do not represent the views of their community. Anderson mentioned that a low voter turnout allowed dedicated Blevin supporters to help him secure the win.
MSNBC was in Enid on Tuesday, covering the voter turnout for the recall election, and reported that the opinion is divided, with some people supporting Blevins and his work since taking office. MSNBC noted that the prevailing evidence indicated that many voters were unaware of the extent of Blevins' involvement. The outlet also stated that many people voting in the recall election had never voted before or did not vote in the race that elected Blevins. reporting The Hill has reached out to Blevins for comment.
Oklahoma residents will vote on Tuesday to determine if they want to remove a city commissioner with connections to white nationalism. The recall election will take place in Enid, Okla., where voters will decide if Judd Blevins, a commissioner for Ward 1, should remain in office. The Enid Social Justice Committee has accused Blevins of being “an open Nazi” who was “photographed…
