Tennessee Congressional candidate posts "Make America White Again" signs
BENTON, Tenn. - A Tennessee man running as an independent for Congress has posted campaign signs proclaiming to "Make America White Again." The sign, which plays off of presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump's "Make America Great Again" slogan, was taken down on Tuesday evening.
Rick Tyler put the sign up along U.S. Highway 411 near Benton. His campaign website, which continues to give "Connection Timed Out" errors for users, made the following statements about the signs according to WTVC:
Several media outlets also report Tyler posted a sign with an image of the White House surrounded by Confederate flags. He reportedly told one station that he doesn't hate "people of color," but wants to return to an earlier time "when there were no break-ins; no violent crime; no mass immigration."
Tyler told WTVC he is the owner of Whitewater Grill in Ocoee, but will begin to heavily focus on his run for Tennessee's 3rd District in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Tyler is one of three independent candidates running for the seat. The seat is currently held by Republican Representative Chuck Fleischmann. The primary election is Aug. 4.
Several local organizations have pledged to boycott Tyler's establishment.
The Associated Press contributed to this report