In a recent forum in Enid, Oklahoma, mayoral candidate James Blevins faced questions about his past involvement with white nationalist groups, including leading an Oklahoma chapter of Identity Evropa. Blevins admitted to participating in the Charlottesville rally, where he marched with a tiki torch alongside men chanting anti-Semitic slogans. Despite this, he defended his actions as being motivated by a desire to preserve statues of American soldiers, arguing that it was a part of the city’s history and heritage. When pressed about his ties to white nationalism, Blevins claimed to be opposed to racial hate and discrimination but refused to outright condemn white nationalism, stating that such issues were not relevant in Enid or the United States today.
Blevins has denied allegations that he posted on white nationalist forums under the pseudonym “Conway,” despite evidence linking him to those posts. The city’s mayor and city attorney confirmed that Blevins had taken responsibility for the posts during a closed-door meeting in November. Blevins’ past organizing with white nationalist groups had been reported by progressive media outlets and the local newspaper, the Enid News & Eagle, prompting backlash from a progressive coalition in the city. The Enid Social Justice Committee protested Blevins’ swearing-in ceremony and attended City Council meetings to denounce his ties to white nationalism, but he refused to apologize or denounce those groups.
The recall election in Enid has attracted attention from national white supremacist and neo-Nazi groups, who have urged their followers to support Blevins. During the recent forum, Blevins faced questions about his affiliations, including donations from an out-of-state donor with possible ties to white nationalist groups. Blevins refused to answer questions about his current associations and walked out of the forum when confronted by a member of the Enid Social Justice Committee. The upcoming election is a critical moment for the city, as voter turnout in municipal elections is typically low, with Blevins winning last year by only 36 votes.
Despite facing scrutiny and backlash from the Enid community, Blevins remains steadfast in his refusal to denounce white nationalism or apologize for his past actions. The controversy surrounding his candidacy has divided the city, with progressive groups calling for his recall and allegations of continued ties to white nationalist organizations. Blevins’ dismissal of concerns about white nationalism and his reluctance to address questions about his affiliations have only increased tensions in the community, making the upcoming election a pivotal moment for the city’s future. The Enid Social Justice Committee continues to highlight Blevins’ past actions and associations in an effort to hold him accountable and ensure that the city’s leadership is not tied to extremist ideologies.
