‘Proud Islamophobe’ Laura Loomer wins Florida GOP primary

Laura Loomer waits backstage during a “Demand Free Speech” rally on Freedom Plaza on July 6, 2019 in Washington, DC. Image by Stephanie Keith/Stringer

By Molly Boigon August 19, 2020

Laura Loomer, a far-right provocateur who calls herself a “proud Islamophobe” and stated that Islam is a “cancer on society,” has won the Republican primary in south Florida’s 21st congressional district.

Loomer, who is Jewish, beat Christian Acosta and Michael Vilardi, capturing more than 42% of the vote. She will face incumbent Democratic Rep. Lois Frankel, who has been in office since 2012 in the heavily blue district.

Loomer has been banned by Facebook, Twitter, CPAC, GoFundMe, Venmo, MGM Resorts, PayPal, Lyft, Uber and Instagram for spreading hate speech.

President Trump congratulated Loomer on Twitter, saying she has “a great chance” to win the general election in November.

Molly Boigon is an investigative reporter at the Forward. Contact her at [email protected] or follow her on Twitter @MollyBoigon.

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