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| David Duke, Ex-K.K.K. Leader, to Seek Senate Seat in Louisiana | David Duke, Ex-K.K.K. Leader, to Seek Senate Seat in Louisiana |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| David Duke, a former leader of the Ku Klux Klan, announced a campaign on Friday to seek a United States Senate seat in Louisiana, where he will try to capitalize on a history of inflammatory speech and on the presidential campaign of Donald J. Trump. | David Duke, a former leader of the Ku Klux Klan, announced a campaign on Friday to seek a United States Senate seat in Louisiana, where he will try to capitalize on a history of inflammatory speech and on the presidential campaign of Donald J. Trump. |
| Mr. Duke, who is running as a Republican, served as a Louisiana state representative and has run unsuccessfully for the State Senate, governor of Louisiana, Congress and president. He joined a sprawling field for the Senate seat being vacated by David Vitter, a Republican, intensifying what was already poised to be a raucous race. | Mr. Duke, who is running as a Republican, served as a Louisiana state representative and has run unsuccessfully for the State Senate, governor of Louisiana, Congress and president. He joined a sprawling field for the Senate seat being vacated by David Vitter, a Republican, intensifying what was already poised to be a raucous race. |
| “I believe in equal rights for all and respect for all Americans,” Mr. Duke said in a campaign video. “However, what makes me different is I also demand respect for the rights and the heritage of European Americans.” | “I believe in equal rights for all and respect for all Americans,” Mr. Duke said in a campaign video. “However, what makes me different is I also demand respect for the rights and the heritage of European Americans.” |
| Mr. Duke also said that “European Americans need at least one man in the United States Senate — one man in the Congress — who will defend their rights and heritage.” | Mr. Duke also said that “European Americans need at least one man in the United States Senate — one man in the Congress — who will defend their rights and heritage.” |
| Mr. Duke will be one of about two dozen candidates vying to succeed Mr. Vitter. Some Republicans in Louisiana immediately distanced themselves from Mr. Duke. | Mr. Duke will be one of about two dozen candidates vying to succeed Mr. Vitter. Some Republicans in Louisiana immediately distanced themselves from Mr. Duke. |
| “The Republican Party opposes, in the strongest possible terms, David Duke’s candidacy for any public office,” the chairman of the Louisiana Republican Party, Roger F. Villere Jr., said in a statement. “David Duke is a convicted felon and a hate-filled fraud who does not embody the values of the Republican Party.” | “The Republican Party opposes, in the strongest possible terms, David Duke’s candidacy for any public office,” the chairman of the Louisiana Republican Party, Roger F. Villere Jr., said in a statement. “David Duke is a convicted felon and a hate-filled fraud who does not embody the values of the Republican Party.” |
| The state party, Mr. Villere said, “will play an active role in opposing David Duke’s candidacy.” | The state party, Mr. Villere said, “will play an active role in opposing David Duke’s candidacy.” |
| The executive director of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, Ward Baker, said that Mr. Duke would not receive his organization’s support “under any circumstance.” | The executive director of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, Ward Baker, said that Mr. Duke would not receive his organization’s support “under any circumstance.” |
| But Mr. Duke argued Friday that his views had merged into the mainstream of American political behavior and thought. | But Mr. Duke argued Friday that his views had merged into the mainstream of American political behavior and thought. |
| “I’m overjoyed to see Donald Trump and most Americans embrace most of the issues that I’ve championed for years,” Mr. Duke said. | “I’m overjoyed to see Donald Trump and most Americans embrace most of the issues that I’ve championed for years,” Mr. Duke said. |
| Mr. Trump and Mr. Duke have had a complex public relationship. In February, Mr. Trump was roundly criticized for not immediately disavowing Mr. Duke during a television interview. | Mr. Trump and Mr. Duke have had a complex public relationship. In February, Mr. Trump was roundly criticized for not immediately disavowing Mr. Duke during a television interview. |
| Days later, Mr. Trump described Mr. Duke as “a bad person.” | Days later, Mr. Trump described Mr. Duke as “a bad person.” |
| A spokeswoman for Mr. Trump, Hope Hicks, said Friday that, “Mr. Trump has disavowed David Duke and will continue to do so.” |