Donald Trump’s campaign said Tuesday that a self-described white nationalist was mistakenly included on its slate of delegates for the California primary.
“Upon careful review of computer records, the inclusion of a potential delegate that had previously been rejected and removed from the campaign’s list in February 2016, was discovered,” said Tim Clark, the Trump camp’s state director in California. “This was immediately corrected and a final list which does not include this individual was submitted for certification.”
The issue came to light after Mother Jones magazine reported that William Johnson, the leader of the American Freedom Party, which promotes white nationalism, was included on the list of delegates the Trump campaign submitted Monday to the California secretary of state.
Mr. Trump’s critics said the revelation is part of a “troubling pattern” and pointed out that the New York billionaire was slow to disavow Klu Klux Klan grand wizard David Duke earlier this year.
It is the sort of distraction that Mr. Trump hopes to avoid as he looks to broaden his appeal in the run-up to the general election.
The California primary is scheduled for June 7.
• Seth McLaughlin can be reached at smclaughlin@washingtontimes.com.
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