Citing Kim Davis, Mayoral Candidate Wants to 'Eradicate Homosexuals'

Eugene "Sherlock" Holmes is running for mayor of Kings Mountain, N.C., on a platform dedicated to Kentucky renegade Kim Davis. Holmes says the antigay county clerk who went to jail over her refusal to follow the law and issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples inspired him to kick things up a notch and run for office himself.

"In my administration I would do just like Mrs. Davis did in Kentucky," Holmes told the Kings Mountain Herald and Charlotte TV station WJZY. "If you elect me, I’ll uphold the law of the state of North Carolina. I would get the D.A. to swear out a warrant on any man who says he’s gay. Sodomy is a crime, a felony in the state of North Carolina."

"What’s wrong with eradicating homosexuals?" Holmes told the newspaper. 'We should jail them, throw them all in jail!"

The Cleveland County district attorney told WJZY the Confederate-flag waving candidate "needs to take a closer look at that law." Despite Holmes' s claims, the Supreme Court ruled in 2003 in Lawrence v. Texas that sodomy laws are unconstitutional. North Carolina and 11 other states have kept their sodomy laws on the books even though they are unenforceable.

Holmes is one of three candidates trying to unseat six-term incumbent Mayor Rick Murphrey.

Holmes admits that he doesn't actually want the job. "I don’t want to be mayor no more than I want to fly," he said. "I don’t know about my chances in this thing. I’m a newcomer — and I don’t give one hoot about politicians."

A 77-year-old veteran, Holmes has had brushes with the law and was once admitted to a psychiatric facility for having "religious hallucinations." He is a member of the Church of God, and his platform also includes banning alcohol, divorce, and all immigration into the United States.

Holmes was arrested in March after going to the Family Worship Center church, shouting antigay slurs, attempting to make a citizen's arrest and then refusing to leave when asked. He was charged with disorderly conduct and trespassing, according to the Shelby Star, a North Carolina paper.

"You would probably classify me as someone needing help," Holmes told the newspaper. "I’m not a rocket scientist. But I do believe in holiness, in the Bible."

Watch Holmes explain "there's no way that a queer can be saved" in this report from WJZY TV in Charlotte: