A Republican candidate for a Florida House seat has come under scrutiny after being identified in photographs from the notorious 2017 “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. This event left one woman dead and dozens injured, and it has been widely condemned for its association with white supremacy and violence.
Marshall Rawson, the candidate vying for House District 10, was reportedly seen marching alongside members of the League of the South, a group categorized as a neo-Confederate and white nationalist organization.
An investigation by Talking Points Memo (TPM) revealed archived footage showing Rawson and his wife arriving at the rally, where they were welcomed by League members. The footage includes images of Rawson carrying the League’s flag and marching alongside notorious figures, including James Alex Fields Jr., who went on to perpetrate the deadly assault that killed counterprotester Heather Heyer.
Despite the revelations, Rawson has not denounced his connection with the League of the South or expressed remorse for attending the violent rally.
The League has a documented history of promoting white supremacist, anti-Semitic, and homophobic sentiments, as noted by the Southern Poverty Law Center. The group advocates for the establishment of a white ethnostate in the Southern United States.
In a 2025 Facebook post, Rawson stated, “I am happy to talk about my past advocacy and activism on any issue,” showcasing a willingness to discuss his historical positions, even as he faces backlash now.
His views align closely with those of the League, particularly regarding LGBTQ rights. In a recent statement, Rawson expressed support for Uganda’s death penalty for gay individuals, suggesting such measures would serve to rid Florida of what he terms “the LGBTQ+ agenda.”
“This is how you would run the pervs and miscreants out of Florida,” he added, further polarizing opinions about his candidacy.
The TPM investigation also uncovered evidence suggesting that Rawson may have operated a pseudonymous social media account, known as ‘RockOfDixie’, where he shared even more extreme remarks. This account has been linked to him through various data points.
Some posts from this account, which appears to have been deleted since, expressed horrible ideas such as the endorsement of public lynchings, tied to sentiments against multiculturalism.
Rawson’s funding has also raised eyebrows. The candidate has reportedly received over $15,000 from donors connected to extremist movements, including neo-Nazis and the League of the South.
When questioned about these donations, Rawson stated that he does not “screen” his contributors’ beliefs before accepting their funds.
In the recent August Republican primary, Rawson secured a victory by just over 2,000 votes and now stands poised to win the general election this coming November in a heavily Republican district.
This situation has sparked alarming discussions among political observers. Many view Rawson’s rise as a reflection of how once-fringe nationalist sentiments are creeping into mainstream Republican politics.
Attempts to obtain comments from both the Florida Republican Party and the national Republican Party about Rawson’s associations and views were met with silence.
As Rawson continues to campaign for election, the potential implications of his candidacy are raising fears among communities who remember the violence of the Charlottesville rally and its aftermath.
Advocates for diversity and tolerance are calling for increased scrutiny of candidates who hold extremist views. They argue that allowing such ideologies a platform threatens the fabric of American democracy and societal cohesion.
The upcoming election will serve as a critical test for voters in Florida’s House District 10, as they weigh Rawson’s controversial past against his potential future role in local politics.
