correction
An earlier version of this story referred inaccurately to the nature of Joe Kent’s interactions with figures on the far right. This article has been changed to clarify that he has associated with extremists and to include his campaign’s description of his views.
In the 2022 midterm elections, an unprecedented number of Republican candidates denied or cast doubt on the results of the latest presidential election, spread false conspiracy theories about the nation’s voting systems and, in many cases, questioned the legitimacy of American democracy itself.
While a majority of them won, nearly all of the highest-profile candidates lost in what was seen as a national rebuke of the movement.
But losing did not seem to deter many of them.
Six months later, many are considering a return to the campaign trail or continuing to build popularity and power in conservative circles.
“They may have lost an election, but they gained a platform,” said Joanna Lydgate, CEO of States United Action, a nonpartisan group that advocates for protecting U.S. elections and tracks election deniers. “We’re starting to see some of these defeated candidates seeking power outside of government, and they’re still pushing lies and conspiracy theories about elections. So we have to stay vigilant.”
Here’s a rundown of what some of the highest-profile election-denying candidates have done since the midterm elections:
