David Clements (lawyer) explained

David Clements is a former American lawyer and a former assistant professor at New Mexico State University. He is known for his advocacy of election conspiracy theories in the United States.

Career

David Clements was a district attorney[1] before starting a tenure-track faculty position as an assistant professor at New Mexico State University in the department of finance.[2] He had previously run for state senate in New Mexico unsuccessfully in 2014.[3] Following his loss, Clements claimed that his primary opponent Allen Weh had hacked his email account; in turn, Weh initiated a lawsuit against Clements for defamation.[4]

Election denialism

See also: Election denial movement in the United States. In 2021, Clements became an advocate for auditing the 2020 US presidential election. He was described by The Washington Post as a "self-appointed election fraud evangelist", and has advocated for methods of perpetuating election interference in future presidential elections.[5] In October 2021, he was terminated from his position at New Mexico State University due to his refusal to abide by the university's medical safety requirements during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States.[6] [7] After this, he started traveling the US to provide speeches revolving around the conspiracy theory that elections in the United States had been compromised.[8] These included events sponsored by election denialist Mike Lindell.[9]

Personal life

Clements is married to his wife Erin, who has helped her husband in efforts to publicize alleged election fraud which they believe to have occurred during the 2020 presidential election in the United States.[10]

References

  1. Web site: The GOP Just Tested Its ‘Scary’ Plan to Steal the 2024 Election. David. Gilbert. June 16, 2022.
  2. Web site: New Mexico State Fires Professor. Scott. Jaschik. Inside Higher Ed.
  3. Web site: Clements says his ‘ordinary guy’ outlook would have impact in Senate. Milan SimonichThe New. Mexican. May 17, 2014. Santa Fe New Mexican.
  4. Web site: Former election foe stands by hacking allegations against Senate candidate. October 18, 2016. NM Political Report.
  5. News: An ex-professor spreads election myths across the U.S., one town at a time: David Clements is traveling the country trying to persuade local leaders to withhold certification of election results. If he succeeds, it could cause chaos. . Washington Post . Annie Gowen . September 8, 2022.
  6. Web site: Professor who bucked virus rules is fired. ABQJournal News. Staff. October 11, 2021. Albuquerque Journal.
  7. Web site: NMSU professor barred from classroom in policy row. ABQJournal News. Staff. August 24, 2021. Albuquerque Journal.
  8. Web site: Don’t let election-denier nonsense hamstring elections division . Bakersfield.com . Robert Price . February 11, 2023.
  9. Web site: With 10 weeks until midterms, election deniers are hampering some election preparations. ABC News.
  10. Web site: Ex-academic forges a new career denying Trump's 2020 election loss. December 21, 2022. www.reuters.com.