Larry Kilgore
Larry Kilgore | |
|---|---|
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1965 (age 58–59) |
| Political party | Republican |
| Occupation | Telecommunications contractor |
Larry SECEDE Kilgore (born 1965; middle name formerly Scott, legally changed in 2012) is a Texas secessionist and perennial Republican candidate for various elected offices in Texas.[1] He is considered one of the most prominent supporters of Texas secession. Interest in Kilgore and his ideas increased following the 2012 United States presidential election in which Democratic president Barack Obama was re-elected; Obama's re-election sparked a wave of petitions for secession on the White House's official website.
Kilgore, whose motto is "Secession! All other issues can be dealt with later" has never won a Republican primary. He ran for governor in 2006 and came second in the Republican primary behind Governor Rick Perry with 50,119 votes (7.64%).[2] He then ran for the U.S. Senate in 2008 and came second in the Republican primary behind Senator John Cornyn with 225,897 votes (18.51%). He ran again for governor in 2014 but was not a factor in the March 4 nomination of fellow Republican Greg Abbott, the outgoing state attorney general, who succeeded Perry as Governor in January 2015.[3][4]
There are a number of different positions held by advocates of Texas's secession. Kilgore believes that Texas could leave the U.S. without permission from the federal government.[1]
Kilgore has advanced a number of other policies in his political bids, mainly based on what he considers biblical law. Running for the U.S. Senate in 2008, he advocated the death penalty for abortion, adultery and homosexuality and flogging for vulgar language and transvestitism. He also believes that Abraham Lincoln was the American equivalent of Adolf Hitler.[2] He discussed this view and his support for secessionism in general when he appeared in a segment of The Daily Show on 21 February 2013.[5]
Kilgore lives in Arlington, Texas, and works as a telecommunications contractor.[1]
References
- ^ a b c Fernandez, Manny (November 23, 2012). "With Stickers, a Petition and Even a Middle Name, Secession Fever Hits Texas". New York Times.
- ^ a b "Death for adultery; flogging for cussing". Houston Chronicle. August 23, 2007.
- ^ "Texas Secession Petition: Larry Kilgore To Change Middle Name To 'SECEDE'".
- ^ "After Obama Win, Some Voters Talk of Secession".
- ^ "Tyranny & Texas". The Daily Show. 21 February 2013. Retrieved 5 May 2013.