From Hate-Watch:
Robert Ransdell, former regional coordinator for the neo-Nazi National Alliance (NA) in Cincinnati, Ohio, and a current coordinator for the similarly-minded National Alliance Reform and Restoration Group (NARRG) is campaigning as a write-in candidate for United States Senate in Kentucky under the slogan “With Jews We Lose!”
Ransdell is running for the seat occupied by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.). Although he admits he has no chance to win, Ransdell is using his campaign as a publicity stunt to push his white nationalist and anti-Semitic views.
They also reported his most recent disruptive display at the University of Kentucky:
In addition to posting his anti-Semitic signs, Randsdell has been wreaking general havoc. Last Wednesday, he appeared at the University of Kentucky’s Constitution Day event. He was removed from the stage after delivering a white nationalist screed, while displaying his campaign signs, to an audience of high school and college students expecting to hear a speech about the principles of the constitution.
“I was about to get to the Constitution before I was cut off,” Ransdell told a reporter for WKYT. “But I intended after traveling – I’m up here near Cincinnati – after traveling that far to be forthright about something I believe in.”
Here's the video.
On September 17, 2014, student journalists were invited to attend "Constitution Day" at the University of Kentucky; among others Ransdell spoke, sparking conflict. Video taken by Manual AM Executive Producer Jennifer Mansfield
The story was reported here, by visiting students:
Racist remarks surprised students at UK’s Constitution Day
Thirty-five Manual students were surprised by a racist speaker during a field trip to the University of Kentucky’s Constitution Day celebration on Wednesday.
The event, which aimed to demonstrate the importance of the US Constitution and teach basic photography and writing skills to high school journalists, took an unexpected turn when a presenter, write-in US Senate candidate Robert Ransdell, made anti-Semitic, racist remarks.
Ms. Liz Palmer (Journalism) asked the organizer, Buck Ryan, to end Ransdell’s speech. When he did not, an employee of the student center did. Mr. James Miller (Journalism) gave an impromptu rebuttal and apologized to the high school students for being exposed to racist remarks at an official UK function without any context or explanation.
The University of KY released this statement:
In response to Robert Ransdell's appearance on the UK campus today:
The University Of Kentucky hosted its 11th Constitution Day, a federally mandated program for all higher education institutions to recognize and celebrate the U.S. Constitution. Elected officials and candidates in this November’s elections were invited. One of the candidates for the U.S. Senate is Robert Ransdell. Mr. Ransdell was invited because he has registered and has been qualified as a write-in candidate for the U.S. Senate with the Kentucky Secretary of State Office.
Constitution Day is not about politics, it is a celebration of the principles of the Constitution. All speakers are asked to focus on those principles. Unfortunately, Mr. Ransdell included his political beliefs and platform in his comments. Many of those in attendance felt his comments were inappropriate, especially for an audience that included high school students. The University Of Kentucky was not aware of the content of his remarks prior to him speaking and does not condone or endorse any political platform or agenda.
Kathy Johnson
UK Public Relations and Marketing
What was good to see and hear was the student response, and the professor, James Miller who rebutted the bigotry.
Frankly I can't understand what in the hell the University was thinking when issuing him an invitation.