Carra poses with Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes at campaign event, expresses support for group’s “less government” efforts

At an event this past weekend where state Rep. Steve Carra announced his intent to run for a fourth term, a photo circulated online showing Carra with Stewart Rhodes, founder of the Oath Keepers, a far-right militia group.

The event was open to the public and advertised on Carra’s Facebook page. Carra estimated about 165 people attended.

The image, shown below, shows Carra with Rhodes and two supporters — one of whom Carra said brought Rhodes to the event — drawing pushback from constituents who questioned whether Carra supports Rhodes and the Oath Keepers.

“It was so great to spend time tonight with friends at Steve Carra—State Representative’s campaign kick-off and birthday celebration. Stewart Rhodes, founder of Oath Keepers and J6 prisoner, joined us this week in Michigan for a couple of events, and it was great to have him with us tonight. Keep up the great work, Steve, Stewart, and fellow freedom-fighters and constitutional activists!” Tammy Heremma Clark wrote in a Facebook post.

Watershed Voice contacted Carra to clarify whether Rhodes was invited and whether he supports Rhodes or the Oath Keepers.

Carra said Rhodes attended as a guest of one of his supporters and the event was his first time meeting him.

“He and I are both Ron Paul Republicans, and know the Constitution very well and fight for liberty,” Carra said. “I respect what he does to fight for less government, more freedom, and he’s been doing it for decades.”

When asked directly whether he supports the Oath Keepers as an organization, Carra initially emphasized that Rhodes did not speak at the event.

“Oath Keepers didn’t speak at the event, and he didn’t even speak. He was there. I shook his hand, I met him, and it was just part of the event,” Carra said.

Pressed again on whether he supports the organization’s actions, Carra said, “I support when organizations fight for less government and more freedom. So whatever Stewart Rhodes and Oath Keepers does to fight for less government and more freedom, I support.”

Rhodes founded the Oath Keepers in 2009. Members of the group were charged in connection with the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Rhodes was later subpoenaed by the U.S. House Select Committee investigating the January 6 attack. In its subpoena letter, the committee cited statements Rhodes made following the 2020 presidential election.

“On November 10, 2020, days after the presidential election, you encouraged Oath Keepers to gather for the November 14, 2020, ‘Million MAGA March’ in Washington, D.C., stating, ‘Our men will be standing by, awaiting the President’s orders to call us up as the militia, which would override D.C.’s ridiculous anti-gun laws,’” the letter states. It continues: “Oath Keepers will have some of the most skilled special warfare veterans standing by armed, just outside DC.”

The letter also cites a December 12, 2020 speech in which Rhodes called on then-President Donald Trump to invoke the Insurrection Act and warned the group would mount a “much more desperate [and] much more bloody war” if he did not.

In 2022, Rhodes was convicted in federal court of seditious conspiracy related to the January 6 attack and sentenced to 18 years in prison. He was later granted clemency by President Donald Trump in January 2025.

Carra is running against Max Coon and Luke Lori in the Republican primary for the 36th District seat.

Maxwell Knauer is a staff writer for Watershed Voice.