Illinois Democrats Seek to Block Richard Mayers from November Ballot (Springfield, IL) – The Democratic Party of Illinois has filed an objection to the nomination papers of Richard Mayers, a perennial political candidate known for promoting white supremacist, racist, and antisemitic views, in an effort to prevent his name from appearing on the November ballot.
Democratic Party of Illinois Executive Director Ben Hardin announced the filing, which challenges Mayers’ candidacy after he submitted nomination papers for statewide office under the banner of the “Germanic Aryan Supremacy Smokers, Gamblers” party.
“While Richard Mayers is a perennial loser with an incoherent ideology, the Democratic Party of Illinois is committed to standing against the hate, racism and antisemitism that he represents whenever and wherever it surfaces,” Hardin said in a statement.
Hardin also criticized Mayers’ use of the nickname “Sieg Heil,” referencing the Nazi salute associated with Adolf Hitler’s regime.
“A candidate who nicknames himself a Nazi salute should never have his name on a ballot,” Hardin said. “Illinois Democrats not only say we reject antisemitism, but are committed to doing the work to root it out.”
The Democratic Party additionally called on the Illinois Republican Party to publicly denounce Mayers and his views.
Mayers has repeatedly sought public office over the past two decades while advocating white supremacist, anti-Black, and antisemitic positions. According to Democrats, he has launched numerous unsuccessful campaigns for elected office.
The filing follows a similar challenge in neighboring Indiana. Earlier this year, Mayers was removed from the ballot in Indiana’s 1st Congressional District race after objections were filed. The Lake County Republican Party in Indiana publicly condemned his ideology and supported efforts to block his candidacy.
The Illinois objection will now proceed through the state’s election challenge process, where election officials will determine whether Mayers’ nomination papers meet legal requirements to appear on the ballot.
No response from Mayers regarding the Illinois filing was included in the announcement.
Illinois Democrats Seek to Block Richard Mayers from November Ballot
