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After Capitolized’s June report on Libertarian Congressional candidate Dennis Hayes being recruited by an online group, Helena resident Paul Golter shared a similar story. Like Hayes, Golter was contacted on Facebook Messenger by Patriots Run Project (PRP).
“Hi Paul – Would you consider running for office as a conservative Independent?” read the PRP pitch. “We need people like you to stand up with Trump and run against the Uniparty Establishment. We are willing to roll up our sleeves to help. Is this something you would consider?”
Golter showed interest only if he could address medical malpractice and government corruption. The COVID-19 vaccine was a major concern for him, disapproving of Trump’s “Operation Warp Speed.” Montana Republican U.S. Sen. Steve Daines sponsored the plan’s bill in the Senate.
Patriots Run Project, a secretive group, operated at least 96 Facebook accounts and 12 social groups to recruit third-party candidates. Meta reported PRP acquiring accounts from Bangladesh. The Institute for Strategic Dialogue identified PRP’s recruitment in 14 states, without any formal registration or identified members.
Meta eventually banned Patriots Run Project. This week, the Associated Press identified more recruits, including Joe Wiederien in Iowa. PRP helped Wiederien gather the necessary 1,726 signatures to get on the ballot.
Similarly, the group covered Dennis Hayes’ $1,740 filing fee in Montana, meeting him at a Helena bank. The Associated Press found some PRP recruits had paperwork signed by consultants used by Democratic campaigns. Republicans suggest PRP aims to siphon votes from GOP candidates, while Democrats deny this. The GOP seeks a Federal Elections Commission investigation.
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