Candidates whose old posts cost them the seat or the nomination

People running for office, nominated or appointed to posts, and campaign staff. 8 published news cases, 2015 to 2026.

Scan yours first Every case links to its news source. Names left out on purpose.

Compiled by Dave Fradette · Updated October 20, 2026

7 of 8cases ended with the person losing the job, seat, admission or license.
5 of 6cases with a known age involved content a year or more old.

In 7 of the 8 the person lost the role: 4 withdrew, 2 resigned, 1 was dismissed. In the other 1 they kept it, regained it or faced a suspension or reprimand instead. The content most often concerned politics (5), gender (3), violence (2).

By type: post or comment (7), meme or image (1). Of these, 1 involved a shared meme or image (see the meme and repost cases).

5 of the 6 cases with a stated age involved content a year or more old.

These counts come from cases collected here. They are not a survey and say nothing about how often this happens. Names are left out, and each case links to its source.

For how screening works for this group, see the Guide: before you file.

The 8 cases

Lost the role2026Assistant attorney general nominee (R)More than 300 deleted posts and retweets, including insults of police and a senatorPost or commentCandidates and appointees
What surfaced
More than 300 deleted posts and retweets, including insults of police and a senator
How old it was
Some months
How it came out
Courthouse News review; senators' questions
Outcome
Nomination withdrawn; spokesperson cited a family matter
What to look for in your own history
Posts or comments a stranger could read as demeaning a group, mocking a tragedy or wishing harm on someone.
Source: Courthouse News
Lost the role2022U.S. House candidate (D), South DakotaCrude jokes about the governor and a violent suggestion about the incumbent's familyPost or commentCandidates and appointees
What surfaced
Crude jokes about the governor and a violent suggestion about the incumbent's family
How old it was
Several years
How it came out
Local TV report
Outcome
State party asked him to quit; withdrew next day; apologized
What to look for in your own history
Posts or comments a stranger could read as demeaning a group, mocking a tragedy or wishing harm on someone.
Source: Mitchell Republic
Lost the role2021Federal budget office nominee (D)Years of partisan tweets; hundreds deleted before the hearingPost or commentCandidates and appointees
What surfaced
Years of partisan tweets; hundreds deleted before the hearing
How old it was
Years
How it came out
Senate confirmation process
Outcome
Withdrew; apologized
What to look for in your own history
Posts or comments a stranger could read as demeaning a group, mocking a tragedy or wishing harm on someone.
Source: WJLA
Lost the role2021Nominee for a state treasurer's inspector general post, IllinoisShared images and posts comparing a former president's supporters to the KKK and calling Christian nationalists terrorists, per the outletsMeme or imageCandidates and appointees
What surfaced
Shared images and posts comparing a former president's supporters to the KKK and calling Christian nationalists terrorists, per the outlets
How it came out
State senators found them during confirmation; the outlets put them at about a year old or less
Outcome
Withdrew; the office restarted its search
What to look for in your own history
A shared meme whose words demean a group. The scan doesn't read images yet, so a meme or screenshot needs a look by hand.
Source: Chicago Sun-Times, WICS NewsChannel 20
Kept or regained it2020U.S. House candidate (R), CaliforniaPosts CBS described as derogatory about MuslimsPost or commentCandidates and appointees
What surfaced
Posts CBS described as derogatory about Muslims
How it came out
Reported by Politico after a rival-party operative found the posts
Outcome
State party and national committee withdrew support; he disputed authorship and stayed in
What to look for in your own history
Posts or comments a stranger could read as demeaning a group, mocking a tragedy or wishing harm on someone.
Source: CBS Sacramento
Lost the role2018Gubernatorial campaign staffer (D), FloridaSexually graphic posts and a post calling for the president's executionPost or commentCandidates and appointees
What surfaced
Sexually graphic posts and a post calling for the president's execution
How old it was
5 to 6 years
How it came out
A blogger, then the Tampa Bay Times
Outcome
Fired less than 2 weeks after hiring; apologized
What to look for in your own history
Posts or comments a stranger could read as demeaning a group, mocking a tragedy or wishing harm on someone.
Source: Fox News, Talking Points Memo
Lost the role2018Higher-education regulator board appointee, United KingdomTweets and articles from years earlier, including a 2009 tweet MPs raised in Parliament and writing on "progressive eugenics"Post or commentCandidates and appointees
What surfaced
Tweets and articles from years earlier, including a 2009 tweet MPs raised in Parliament and writing on "progressive eugenics"
How old it was
Several years; one tweet from 2009
How it came out
MPs, unions and the press scrutinized his record after the appointment; a Commons emergency question followed
Outcome
Resigned from the board on January 9, 2018, a day after the Commons debate; he said the reaction had become a "distraction" from the regulator's work
What to look for in your own history
Posts or comments a stranger could read as demeaning a group, mocking a tragedy or wishing harm on someone.
Source: Times Higher Education, Schools Week
Lost the role2015Newly hired chief technology officer, presidential hopeful's political committeeTweets calling women "sluts" and website comments disparaging Black people's speech and dress, per APPost or commentCandidates and appointees
What surfaced
Tweets calling women "sluts" and website comments disparaging Black people's speech and dress, per AP
How old it was
6 to 7 years, some written in college
How it came out
Surfaced within weeks of the hire
Outcome
Resigned; he apologized
What to look for in your own history
Posts or comments a stranger could read as demeaning a group, mocking a tragedy or wishing harm on someone.
Source: AP via CBS Texas, UPI

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