Militia Leader Known As The ‘Bundy Ranch Sniper’ Seeks A New Title: Senator

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Eric Parker of the Real 3%ers Idaho attends a convoy training exercise in western Idaho on Jan. 25. NPR has followed Parker’s political evolution as he joins a wave of «patriot movement figures seeking – and sometimes winning – public office.

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Parker and Idaho State Sen. Michelle Stennett pose for a photo before their debate in Hailey, Idaho, on Sept. 17. Parker is running as a Republican against the longtime Democratic incumbent.

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Eric Parker points his rifle from a bridge during an armed standoff with the federal government near Bunkerville, Nev., on April 12, 2014.

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Parker gathers with members of the Real 3%ers Idaho, Nicolas Gatejen and Jordan Marques, before meetings with politicians at the state capitol in Boise on Jan. 24.

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Parker shows off a vestige of his old punk phase: a Black Flag tattoo, symbolizing rebellion against authority. He recalls his days as a mohawk-wearing youth scrapping with neo-Nazis in Phoenix, Ariz.

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Parker meets with Idaho state Rep. Tammy Nichols, a Republican, at the state capitol in Boise in January.

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Nicolas Gatejen, left, talks to other members of the Real 3%ers Idaho after a convoy protection drill in western Idaho in January.

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Parker has become a regular visitor to the Idaho statehouse since 2018, when he was released after serving 18 months in pre-trial detention on federal charges.

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Members of the Real 3%ers Idaho stand watch during a convoy protection drill in western Idaho in January.

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Parker listens with other members after a convoy protection training exercise in January. Even if Parker is a long-shot candidate against a popular, five-term incumbent, the experience gives his ideology a bigger platform, potentially drawing recruits through his boots-to-suits transformation.

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Eric Parker hands out copies of the U.S. Constitution as he campaigns at the Gooding Pro Rodeo in Gooding, Idaho on Sept. 18.

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Idaho State Sen. Michelle Stennett, a Democrat, answers a question during a debate with her Republican opponent, Eric Parker, on Sept. 17.

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A large sign for Republican state senate candidate Eric Parker in Bellevue, Idaho, on Sept. 19. What his critics don’t get, Parker said, is that he’s not ashamed of his conduct in the Bundy Ranch standoff. In fact, he’s proud of it.

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Parker hands out copies of the U.S. Constitution as he campaigns at the Gooding Pro Rodeo.

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Parker hands out copies of the U.S. Constitution as he campaigns at the Gooding Pro Rodeo.

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The most enthusiastic reaction came from a bearded man who appeared to be in his 60s. He declined to give his name but said Second Amendment issues were driving his vote. In Parker, he said, maybe there was a chance for conservatives to finally tip the scale in a district long dominated by the Democrats in Sun Valley.

«Eric Parker! You bet! the man said. «I support you.

«I appreciate that, Parker replied. «I think we’re going to do it this year.

«I hope you do, the man said. «I hope you do.