Oath Keepers' son emerges from traumatic childhood to tell his own story in a long shot election bid
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The eldest son of one of America's most infamous seditionists is building a new life since breaking from his father's control.

KALISPELL, Mont. (AP) — The eldest son of one of America’s most infamous seditionists is building a new life since breaking free from his father’s control — juggling work, college classes and volunteer firefighting.

And Dakota Adams has tossed one more ball in the air this year: a Democratic campaign for Montana’s Legislature.

He also plans to sell the rifles, body armor and tactical gear he used to wear to anti-government protests alongside his father — Stewart Rhodes, founder of the Oath Keepers. It’s all part of an effort to push away the last vestiges of what Adams describes as an isolating and abusive upbringing that nearly ruined him, his mother and his siblings.

“I decided that I’m going to double down on betting on the electoral process,” Adams said in a recent interview.

  • logicbomb@lemmy.world
    0·
    8 months ago

    Adams knows it won’t be easy running as a Democrat for the House in the deep red northwestern corner of Montana. The district covers northern Lincoln County, a mecca for militia members or sympathizers and doomsday preppers. Republican Donald Trump won 74% of the county vote in the 2020 presidential race.

    While Adams’ campaign may look like a fruitless undertaking, he doesn’t see it that way. For him it’s a chance to tell his own story — that of an “honest weirdo” who emerged from a traumatic childhood to find his own way in life. It’s also a chance to make the case for his own vision of how democracy and personal responsibility intertwine.

    You never truly know whether somebody would be good or not ahead of time, but I initially feel good about a person who is interested in politics who seems to actually think of themselves as “honest”.

    • some_guy@lemmy.sdf.org
      0·
      8 months ago

      That’s the same bit I was gonna quote. I kinda think he should run somewhere more favorable, but if he thinks he can win over people of a similar background, I support it.