The “Family Values” Party Has a Sex Crime Problem

Republicans have spent decades building their political identity around the concept of “family values”. They claim to protect children and defend traditional morality. But as the 2026 Senate races begin taking shape, a different pattern is emerging: a growing list of Republican candidates facing questions about their ties to people accused of sexual misconduct, child exploitation, trafficking, or abuse.

That pattern is hardly surprising given the precedent at the top of the party. Donald Trump was found liable for rape, all while his name appears thousands of times in the recently released Epstein files alongside at least half a dozen current or former senior Trump administration officials. Republicans have already demonstrated that these kinds of allegations and associations are not, on their own, a barrier to political power.

Now, Republican Senate contenders across the country are facing scrutiny over the people in their own orbit—from convicted child sex abusers appointed to party leadership roles to donors and advisers linked to child sexual abuse and trafficking scandals. The fact that we can fill an entire newsletter with examples from just the 2026 Senate map says plenty. Here's the rundown, state by state.

In North Carolina, we begin with former Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley, who appointed convicted child rapist Harvey L. West Jr. to influential leadership positions within the state Republican Party despite warnings from fellow Republicans.

West, now 54, was placed in charge of the GOP’s First Congressional District committee and later appointed to lead the party’s Plan of Organization committee, a powerful body responsible for shaping internal party rules.

This is after West spent six years in prison after pleading guilty in 1999 to charges that he raped three teenage girls, two of whom were 14 and one who was 16. West’s fundraising ability helped him maintain influence within conservative circles, and over people like Michael Whatley, despite being a convicted child rapist.

That influence has now become a political liability for Whatley, who is running for Senate. Former Democratic Governor Roy Cooper, has questioned why a convicted child rapist was given multiple leadership roles inside the state Republican Party by Whatley and even some Republicans have raised concerns, noting that Whatley appointed West despite objections from within the party.

In Ohio, Republican Senate candidate Jon Husted is facing questions about his relationship with billionaire donor Les Wexner, the former CEO of Victoria’s Secret and a longtime associate of Jeffrey Epstein. Husted has received more than $116,000 from Wexner over the years.

Husted’s campaign has argued that Wexner has donated to candidates across the political spectrum, including Democrats, but as many have pointed out he has repeatedly avoided answering questions about the relationship rather than denouncing him.

John Sununu’s name appears in documents connected to Epstein files, including an email in which Epstein wrote: “John Sununu has good stories.” You can read that email here. Sununu has denied that Epstein was referring to him, suggesting instead that the reference may have been to his father, former New Hampshire Governor John H. Sununu, who shares the same name.

Sununu was questioned on if he had ever been to Doha, as was referenced in the files. He said he hadn’t.

In Alaska, Republican Senate candidate Dan Sullivan is facing questions over campaign money linked to Craig Valdez, a former Alaska GOP operative who is now facing federal charges related to child exploitation and sex trafficking.

Valdez, who previously worked in Republican political circles, has been accused by federal prosecutors of crimes involving the sexual exploitation of minors. Sullivan’s campaign has said it donated Valdez’s contributions to a local charity focused on domestic violence and sexual assault after learning of the allegations.

But the controversy comes alongside another point of criticism: Sullivan voted against releasing additional Epstein-related files.

In Michigan, Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers is facing questions over his ties to Living Word Church, where three ministers have been convicted and sentenced for criminal sexual conduct with minors.

Rogers appointed two lead pastors from Living Word Church, Tim Cross and Brian Ford, to his faith coalition, which comprises a senior leadership team within his campaign. Tim Cross would later resign from the faith coalition after it emerged that he had not believed the survivors when they came forward.

From calling transgender people an "abomination" to claiming the Equality Act is "demonic" and "wicked," the faith coalition has also been involved in other disturbing behavior towards marginalized communities.

In Iowa, Republican Senate candidate Ashley Hinson has faced scrutiny over contributions from billionaire investor John W. Childs, who was charged in 2019 in connection with a Florida massage parlor investigation.

This was part of a sweeping, multi-jurisdictional law enforcement investigation targeting massage parlors linked to an international human trafficking ring. More than 100 people, including other influential figures like New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, were charged.

The charges brought against John Childs were dropped in September 2020 after it was found that the case was brought in violation of the 4th Amendment — meaning the police had seized evidence improperly.