QAnon Theorists Are Running For Political Office

Q Anon followers are increasingly running for political office, with 48 candidates in 2022 having ties to the conspiracy theory. While most are Republicans, some are independents. The movement's ideas are being absorbed by the Republican Party, with many conservatives believing in core Q Anon tenets. This shift poses a risk of normalizing fringe and anti-Semitic ideas, especially in local elections where voter turnout is low. The mainstreaming of these ideas could lead to significant changes in local governance and school boards.

What is the main strategy of Q Anon followers as discussed in the first section?

• To run for political office themselves

• To organize large public protests

• To create a new political party

• To start a new social media platform

How many candidates with Q Anon affiliations are running for Congress in 2022?

• 48

• 60

• 36

• 24

What pressure do GOP candidates face regarding Q Anon beliefs?

• To completely ignore them

• To adopt them as official party policies

• To publicly denounce them

• To align with or acknowledge them

What is a concern about Q Anon-affiliated candidates in local government?

• They might increase taxes

• They could normalize conspiracy theories

• They will reduce public services

• They might ban public gatherings

What is a potential outcome of Q Anon beliefs being mainstreamed in local settings?

• Increased voter turnout

• Better education policies

• More public debates

• Normalization of fringe ideas