A Republican candidate for Missouri secretary of state is vowing to “burn” books that are “grooming, indoctrinating and sexualizing” children.
Valentina Gomez provided a visual for her promise in a now-viral campaign video which shows the 24-year-old GOP candidate brandishing a flamethrower.
“When I’m Secretary of State, I will BURN all books that are grooming, indoctrinating, and sexualizing our children. MAGA. America First,” read the caption to her post on X.
When I’m Secretary of State, I will BURNall books that are grooming, indoctrinating, and sexualizing our children. MAGA. America First pic.twitter.com/m8waKi3yhP
— Valentina Gomez (@ValentinaForSOS) February 6, 2024
“This is what I will do to grooming books when I become secretary of state,” she said in the short video.
“These books come from a Missouri Public Library. When I am in office, they will burn,” she added.
The books targeted by the flamethrower in the video included “Naked: Not Your Average Sex Encyclopedia” by Myriam Daguzan Bernier and “Queer, 2nd Edition: The Ultimate LGBTQ Guide for Teens” by Kathy Belge and Marke Bieschke, according to Fox News.
Bieschke reacted to the video in a comment on X, writing, “She is burning my book in public to get votes, not fascist or scary at all!”
“Some responses on X reported that the video was previously restricted for violating the platform’s rules against ‘hateful conduct,'” the outlet noted, adding that Missouri is “one of over 40 states since Jan. 2021 to introduce bills to restrict how critical race theory, racism or sexism was discussed in classrooms.”
Gomez thanks X owner Elon Musk for “protecting free speech” as she announced,
“We are back from censorship,” she added, thanking the accounts that questioned the move.
Why is this flagged as hateful conduct? .@elonmusk .@ValentinaForSOS pic.twitter.com/pPitF3Ni4T
— Hodgetwins (@hodgetwins) February 7, 2024
The video has garnered over 2 million views on X with more than 5,000 comments.
Gomez, who was born in Colombia, was at an event at a Springfield library last week that featured a talk by swimming pro Riley Gaines.
“I’m fighting the political machine, I’m not backed by any special interests,” Gomez said, according to KMOV. “Let’s get, excuse my language, our s*** together and pull up our pants and fight back.”
Good morning to all, except to the corrupt Republicans and Democrats who have sold us out.
— Valentina Gomez (@ValentinaForSOS) February 6, 2024
“I’m gonna defund all the libraries that are having LGBTQ, DEI, Critical Race Theory material in the children’s section,” she added.
The candidate is described on her campaign website as a “fierce advocate for the principles values we hold dear as Americans battling for a better future.”
She is also listed as a “real estate investor, financier, strategist, former NCAA Division I swimmer.”
“Valentina vehemently opposes subjecting children under 18 to transgender-related medical procedures, therapies, treatments, prescriptions, and exposure. The physical and emotional scars endured by our young ones in the name of the transgender industry are unacceptable and must be halted,” states the website.
Writers and editors can be contacted at [email protected] with feedback, tips, or corrections.
Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida. Powers also contributes to BizPac Review.
Comment
We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.