Using rhetoric commonly associated with the “sovereign citizens” movement, a GOP candidate for a state Senate seat in Iowa abruptly quit the race on July 4 and declared herself “U.S. Senator in the Republic of the United States Of America.”
Businesswoman Randi Shannon now calls herself “Senator Randi Shannon,” Patch.com is reporting.
Much remains mysterious about Shannon’s departure from the race and apparent decision either to appoint herself a “Senator” or to accept such an appointment from a purported alternative government. Although the word “sovereign” does not appear in a four-page letter received by Patch.com from Shannon that apparently seeks to explain the recent bizarre events, some “sovereign citizens” have been known to adopt political titles and the titles of royalty.
Monty Ervin, for example, declared himself “governor” of Alabama in its “original jurisdiction.” His wife, Patricia Ervin, once declared herself a “Most Christian Princess” who’d been “certified” by Prince George, whom she described as the “Arch Treasurer” for “The United States of America” in the “Treaty of Paris of 1783,” according to court filings.
Monty Ervin later was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for a bizarre tax scheme. Patricia Ervin was sentenced to do her time on “40 consecutive weekends.”
Perhaps the most curious part of Shannon’s letter is the even tone. Despite the extraordinary assertions included in the letter, Shannon writes with something that approaches utter detachment, as though dropping out of a Senate race while simultaneously declaring oneself a Senator is just an ordinary life choice. Here are snippets from the letter (italics added):
I want to especially thank my fellow Ron Paul for President Supporters, My Fellow Members of Liberty, My Friends who home school as did I, the many Pro-Life Members who have been so supportive of my candidacy over these past few months, and of course all my supporters in the Republican Party who have offered me so much help and encouragement, including many Republican Office holders here in Iowa, I promise you, your efforts on My behalf will be remembered.
Let me now announce to everyone in Iowa, I have become aware of the existence of the Original Republic for The United States of America. “We the People” re-inhabited our lawful de jure (de jur- “by right of lawful establishment”) government on March 30th, 2010. This is The Republic founded in 1787 and then abandoned during The Civil War in the 1860s . . .
Therefore, in order to affect the most good on behalf of The People of Iowa’s 34th District and in keeping with my conscience, I have accepted the position of U.S. Senator in The Republic of The United States of America, where I may better serve You and All of The People of Iowa. I want you to know I have taken an Oath to Uphold, Support and Defend The Constitution of The United States of America. This I will do to the best of my ability, So Help Me God.