Extreme GOP Candidates for Governor Double Down on Furry Frenzy Conspiracy Theory

Instead of apologizing for touting an absurd conspiracy theory that has been debunked time and time again, both Colorado gubernatorial candidate Heidi Ganahl and Minnesota gubernatorial candidate Scott Jensen are doubling down on their furry frenzy, repeating absurd claims that kids in schools are identifying as animals.

Scott Jensen “faces criticism for repeating hoax that schools are installing litter boxes,” Minnesota’s Fox9 News writes. CNN originally reported Jensen’s claims, which have been shut down by the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE).

“MDE doesn’t believe this is happening in any Minnesota schools,” one spokesperson said. Another MDE spokesperson added, “This kind of rumor is hostile to Minnesota students, especially transgender students.”

In Colorado, Heidi Ganahl defended the claim that kids in Colorado schools are identifying as cats and dogs. Her campaign released a bogus list of schools in Colorado where kids were supposedly dressing in costume.

Immediately, eight school districts from across the state spoke out against Ganahl and denied “having any issues with students dressing up as cats or other animals.” Additionally, “two statewide organizations, representing teachers and administrators, criticized Ganahl’s claims and said they had never been made aware of such issues, either.”

One Colorado school district spokesperson said, “the concerns being generated by the Republican gubernatorial candidate are baseless.”

Bret Miles, the executive director of the Colorado Association of School Executives said claims are “exhausting” for educators. The Colorado Association of School Executives and Colorado Education Association both described the claims as false and said “no educator, administrator or district had ever reported issues similar to Ganahl’s claims.”

“Extreme GOP candidates like Heidi Ganahl and Scott Jensen have no plans to address the challenges facing public schools, so they’re resorting to touting blatantly false conspiracy theories that hurt kids,” said DGA Senior Communications Advisor Christina Amestoy. “Our kids in schools need better mental health resources, smaller class sizes, and tools to succeed. Those are the issues that matter to students and parents, and it’s what Democratic governors are focused on — not lies and conspiracy theories.”