Missouri GOP candidate says ‘Don’t be weak and gay’ in campaign video

ST. LOUIS – Valentina Gomez, a Republican candidate for Missouri Secretary of State, told prospective voters, “Don’t be weak and gay” in a provocative campaign video released on social media over the weekend.

Gomez shared the video on Sunday, May 12, via X (formerly known as Twitter) and Instagram.

“In America, you can be anything you want, so don’t be weak and gay,” she says while running through the streets of St. Louis wearing what she’s described as a weighted vest. The song “The Show Goes On” by rapper Lupe Fiasco is dubbed over the video.

“Stay f*****g hard,” Gomez says before the video cuts away to a photo of her holding a rifle and pistol in each hand. She tagged social media influencers Andrew and Tristan Tate on the post. The Tate brothers are currently under investigation in Romania for rape and human trafficking, and additional allegations in England.

Gomez’s video has more than two million views on X and 7,200 likes on Instagram as of early Wednesday afternoon.

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Earlier Sunday morning, Gomez posted a tweet of her briefly speaking with UFC CEO and president Dana White during the UFC’s St. Louis event.

On May 8, Gomez celebrated her 25th birthday by posting another running video, this one at the Gateway Arch Grounds. Gomez promised to run from Kansas City to St. Louis 15 miles a day. She did not indicate when she’ll begin her trek.

Gomez, a self-described real estate investor, is running to succeed Jay Ashcroft as Missouri Secretary of State this fall. Ashcroft is running to become Missouri’s next governor.

Her latest video wasn’t the first to make the rounds nationally this year. In February, she shared a video of herself lighting LGBTQ-inclusive books ablaze with a flamethrower. She claimed she would burn “all books that are grooming, indoctrinating, and sexualizing our children” if elected.

It’s also not the first time she has used remarks like “Don’t be weak and gay” on social media; she also publishing that phrase on X in March.

FOX 2 has reached out to Gomez’s campaign with questions about her recent video and message. As of time of this story’s publication, we have not yet heard back.

According to the Missouri Secretary of State’s Office, Gomez and 10 others have submitted paperwork to campaign as the next secretary of state. Candidates include the following: