Ex-Mississippi congressional candidate accused of vandalizing Satanic display in Iowa
Michael Cassidy, a 35-year-old Mississippi man and former political candidate and U.S. Navy fighter pilot, stands accused of vandalizing a Satanic display in the Iowa Capitol building.
According to a news release from the Iowa Department of Public Safety, the Lauderdale resident has been charged with criminal mischief in the fourth degree, in relation to a vandalism report involving the Iowa Satanic Temple’s Baphomet display.
According to a post from Cassidy on the social media platform X, additional charges are possible.
I’ve been notified of more potential legal charges unfortunately, so I’ve opened the legal fund donation back up.
All donations in excess of what is directly related to my defense shall be donated to a Christian legal fund.
Thank you again.
https://t.co/RnWk1c1Rrh— Michael Cassidy for MS (@VoteCassidy) December 15, 2023
Cassidy, who ran for elected office in Mississippi’s 45th District in 2023, confirmed his involvement on the social-media platform X, while promoting a fund set up for his legal defense.
Cassidy also posted a Bible verse to his X feed Thursday afternoon:
1 Peter 5:8 KJV
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour— Michael Cassidy for MS (@VoteCassidy) December 14, 2023
During his bid for office, Cassidy described himself as “a Christian conservative who loves our nation and is committed to preserving the blessings of liberty bestowed upon us by the Founding generation.”
On Friday, part of the display remained at the site in the Capitol. A lone man, who declined to give his name, sat in front of the display and recited Christian prayers, making references to Jesus. It wasn’t immediately clear if he was a supporter or detractor of the Satanic Temple.
The display is on the east side of the Capitol beside a column and an ornate staircase. It’s about 100 feet from a Christmas tree displayed in the Capitol rotunda.
Founded in 2013, the Salem, Massachusetts-based Satanic Temple doesn’t believe in Satan but describes itself as a “non-theistic religious organization” that advocates for secularism. It is separate from the Church of Satan, which was founded in the 1960s.
According to New York Times election coverage, Cassidy lost his 2023 statehouse representative campaign to Democrat Keith Jackson, capturing 38 percent of the vote to Jackson’s 55 percent. The 45th District, which he was hoping to represent, covers parts of Neshoba, Winston, Kemper and Lauderdale counties.
Last year, Cassidy ran against incumbent U.S. Rep. Michael Guest and lost in a primary runoff after fewer than 300 votes separated them in the primary. Guest won the runoff with nearly 70 percent of the vote.
The Satanic organization confirmed the vandalism Thursday, in a video posted on facebook:
“This morning, we were informed by authorities that the Baphomet statue in our holiday display was destroyed beyond repair. We are proud to continue our holiday display for the next few days that we have been allotted.
“We ask that for safety, visitors travel together and use the 7 Tenets as a reminder for empathy, in the knowledge that justice is being pursued the correct way, through legal means.
“Solve et Coagula! Happy Holidays! Hail Satan!”
According to the Des Moines Register, the temple had received permission earlier this month to place the display on the first floor of the Capitol for two weeks. A Christian nativity display was placed in the building Tuesday.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
