The Democrat Running Against QAnon Supporter Greene For Congress Just Dropped Out

Topline

Kevin Van Ausdal, the Democrat running for Congress against Marjorie Taylor Greene — the controversial Georgia Republican congressional candidate who promotes the QAnon conspiracy theory, posted threatening memes targeting progressive Congress members and made offensive comments targeting Muslims, all while enjoying President Trump’s support — has dropped out of the race due to personal reasons, his campaign said Friday, throwing the state of the strange, high profile race into flux just weeks before Election Day.

Key Facts

What To Watch For

Cathy Griffith, chair of the Catoosa County Democrats in Georgia, told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that she “didn’t know” Van Ausdal was dropping out until Friday morning. “We’ll figure out something – hopefully,” she added.

Crucial Quote

In one Facebook video dug up by Politico, Greene says that she believes Muslims do not belong in government. She also called House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) a “bitch.”

Key Background

Greene has posted about the QAnon conspiracy multiple times, and once declared the theory “a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take this global cabal of Satan-worshiping pedophiles out.” She has since attempted to distance herself from QAnon, telling Fox News recently she chose “another path” due to “misinformation” from “Q,” the so-called leader of the movement. However, she has yet to denounce the theory.

Tangent

Greene is one of 15 candidates verified on Twitter who has promoted QAnon with few restrictions, Forbes reported last month. In a statement to Forbes in August, Twitter said it is “evaluating the expansion of this policy to include candidates and elected officials.”

Further Reading

Trump-Backed QAnon Candidate Posts Meme Showing Off Gun And Urging ‘Going On The Offense’ Against AOC, The Squad (Forbes)

What Is QAnon And How Might It Impact The U.S. Election? (video) (Forbes)

Trump-Backed Candidate Marjorie Taylor Greene Promotes 9/11 Conspiracy Theory (Forbes)

‘The Storm Is Here’: GOP House Candidate Tweets QAnon Rallying Cry After Trump Retweets Her (Forbes)