Nation/World

Former KKK leader David Duke, citing Trump, announces Senate bid

Former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke on Friday announced he will run for U.S. Senate, linking his decision to Donald Trump's bid for the presidency.

Saying he was "overjoyed" at Trump's successful campaign to be the Republican party's presidential nominee, Duke said he will advocate for the "rights and heritage of European Americans" in Congress.

"We must stop the massive immigration and ethnic cleansing of people whose forefathers created America," Duke said in a video posted to his website.

Duke is a registered Republican, according to The Associated Press.

Duke formerly represented suburban New Orleans in the statehouse between 1989 and 1993 and previously ran unsuccessfully for Congress and the Louisiana governorship.

If elected, Duke would replace Sen. David Vitter, R-La., who is not seeking re-election after losing his bid for the governorship last year.

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