From the Daily Caller: The sole Republican candidate running in a state Senate race in North Carolina is a niqab-wearing, self-described “pro-choice,” “down for ISIS,” pro-Trump political novice who says her candidacy represents the future of the GOP.
LaKeshia Mashonda Ruddi Alston has drawn national attention after her campaign photo — showing her wearing a niqab covering her entire face except for her eyes — circulated widely on social media, later prompting scrutiny of her long record of voting for Democratic candidates. In an interview with the Daily Caller News Foundation, Alston, who is running in the heavily Democratic Durham-based 22nd Senate district, defended her purported political evolution and policy views amid skepticism from voters.
When asked what conservative principles she considers important, Alston replied: “I am down for ISIS.”
Alston five times throughout the interview said something to the effect of “I am down for ISIS … I stand for ISIS,” when appearing to refer to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Alston did not clarify whether she was referring to Immigration and Customs Enforcement when contacted for follow-up.
Alston’s voting record shows she has been voting for Democrats, even as recently as last year.
Now, insisting that she is a Republican, Alston told the Daily Caller, “I’ve matured in my own revelation of what the Republican Party represents, and it looks like me.”
“People live, and you learn. People grow out of things. This is the year of the snake. This is the year where everyone should be shedding old skin,” she claimed.
She says her father is an Army veteran who fought in the Vietnam War.
Bizarrely, she said her decision to wear a niqab was deliberate and symbolic, and claimed, “I didn’t want it to go in for the looks. I wanted it to be about who is the most qualified.”
“Am I going to sign off on the bills that are going to make the change, that are going to bring in the revenue, that are going to have lasting improvements? Or do you just want to look at me and see how pretty I am so I can argue with the next girl over her hair?” she argued.
The Daily Caller pointed out that the filing deadline to enter the race passed on Dec. 19, making Alston the presumptive GOP nominee. The North Carolina state Senate primary is scheduled for March 2026.
Watch the stunning 8-minute interview below:
LaKeshia Mashonda Ruddi Alston, NC state Senate candidate, claims, “I am a Republican… I am matured in my own revelation of what the Republican Party represents and it looks like me.” She’s the only candidate running as a Republican for the seat. Unreal. https://t.co/wZ2IgJHIY7
— DMLNewsApp (@DMLNewsApp) January 3, 2026
READ MORE from the Daily Caller.
EXCLUSIVE: We Talked To The Muslim ‘Republican’ Candidate Who Says Party Looks Like Her Now. We’re Still Confused. https://t.co/mfMQO38sfJ via @cadenolson_
— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) January 2, 2026
Conservative social media users are warning that hard leftists are running as Republicans to infiltrate the Party.
This is happening all over the nation.
— General Mike Flynn (@GenFlynn) December 29, 2025
It is the new thing. Hard leftists running as Republicans in red districts.
You can’t claim they are fractured and disorganized when they are clearly planning to infiltrate on every possible front.
There’s nothing sacred about “democracy.” It’s too easily manipulated.
— Steve Baker (@SteveBakerUSA) December 28, 2025
Not surprised. We have Somalians taking over in Minnesota. Democrats running as republicans to take over. We have been infiltrated in America.
— Sassafrass84 (@Sassafrass_84) December 28, 2025
This is a joke, right?
— Gina Milan (@ginamilan_) December 28, 2025
Follow us on X (Formerly Twitter.)
The DML News App: www.X.com/DMLNewsApp
The Dennis Michael Lynch Podcast archive is available below, with the most recent on top. Never miss an episode. Subscribe to the show by downloading The DML News App or go to Apple Podcasts.
