Valentina Gomez

Valentina Gomez
Gomez wearing a red blazer, stands in front of the Washington Monument and Reflecting Pool
Gomez in 2025
Born
Valentina Noriega Gomez

(1999-05-08) May 8, 1999
Medellín, Colombia
EducationCentral Connecticut State University (BS)
Tulane University (MBA)
OccupationPolitical activist
Political party
Republican
RelativesJonathan Gómez (brother)
Websitevalentinaforcongress.com

Valentina Noriega Gomez (born May 8, 1999) is a Colombian–American far-right political activist and Republican Party candidate. Her stances have been described as homophobic, Islamophobic, and anti-immigration by the media.[1][2][3]

Born in Colombia, Gomez moved to New Jersey at the age of ten. She attended Central Connecticut State University before completing an MBA at Freeman School of Business.

Gomez ran unsuccessfully for Missouri Secretary of State in 2024 and the United States House of Representatives in 2026.

Early life and education

Gomez was born on May 8, 1999, in Medellín, Colombia.[4] Gomez immigrated to the United States with her family in 2009 when she was 10, where they settled in Jersey City, New Jersey.[4]

Gomez completed a bachelor's degree from Central Connecticut State University in 2019 and a Master of Business Administration from Tulane University's A.B. Freeman School of Business in 2021.[5]

Political activism

In February 2024, while standing as a Republican candidate for Missouri Secretary of State, Gomez drew widespread attention after setting LGBTQ-friendly library books on fire with a flamethrower.[6][7] Gomez finished sixth in the election, receiving 7.4% of the vote.[8]

In December 2024, Gomez released a video showing the simulated execution of an immigrant and called for the public execution of undocumented immigrants accused of violent crimes.[4][9] The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), a Latino Civil Rights organization, published a statement denouncing Gomez and said: "Gomez's video glorifies the type of vigilantism that has led to deadly consequences in our nation and feeds into the anti-immigrant lie."[9] The Texas director of LULAC, Gabriel Rosales, said: "The El Paso Walmart mass shooter killed 23 people and wounded 22 more precisely because of racial hate speech. Social media must ban this kind of reckless display for attention."[9]

In April 2025, Gomez interrupted a Muslim community day held at the Texas Capitol building. She said that "Islam is the religion of rape, incest and pedophilia," and mocked the religion.[10][11]

In August 2025, Gomez was banned from several social media platforms after burning the Quran in a video posted online.[12] Her brother, Jonathan Gomez-Noriega, worked for the Jersey City LGBTQ+ Task Force until August 5, 2024, when he resigned and distanced himself from his sister's views. Jonathan had donated to Valentina's election campaign. The mayor, Steven Fulop, dismissed Gomez-Noriega as an aide the same day.[13]

In September 2025, Gomez spoke at the Unite the Kingdom rally and said that the UK was being taken over by "rapist Muslims".[14]

In March 2026, Gomez ran unsuccessfully in the Republican primary for Texas's 31st Congressional District, finishing second with 10.9% of the vote.[5][15]

In April 2026, Gomez was barred from visiting the United Kingdom after the Home Office determined her presence "would not be conducive to the public good".[16] Prior to being blocked from entering the UK, Gomez had said to Prime Minister Keir Starmer: "You're only good at protecting the Muslim rape gangs. Try to arrest me & see what happens."[17] Following the ban, Gomez suggested that she would attempt to enter the UK on a small boat.[18]

References

  1. ↑ Cameron, Chris (May 15, 2024). "Far-Right Candidate in Missouri Draws Backlash for Homophobic Video". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 20, 2026.
  2. ↑ "GOP candidate who torched LGBTQ-inclusive books finishes 6th in Missouri primary". NBC News. August 7, 2024. Retrieved April 20, 2026.
  3. ↑ Stacey, Diego (April 22, 2026). "Valentina Gomez, the far‑right influencer barred from entering the UK over her Islamophobic comments". El País. Retrieved April 24, 2026.
  4. 1 2 3 "Who is Valentina Gomez? MAGA activist's 'migrant execution' video sparks outrage after NYC subway murder: 'They deserve to be ended'". The Times of India. December 25, 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved April 20, 2026.
  5. 1 2 Martin, Catherine Armecin (March 5, 2026). "10 Photos of Valentina Gomez: MAGA Candidate Only Gets 10% of Votes for Texas' 31st Congressional District". International Business Times UK. Retrieved April 21, 2026.
  6. ↑ "Missouri Republican candidate torches LGBTQ-inclusive books in viral video". NBC News. February 7, 2024. Retrieved April 20, 2026.
  7. ↑ "Missouri Republican candidate torches LGBTQ-inclusive books in viral video". NBC News. February 7, 2024. Retrieved April 21, 2026.
  8. ↑ "GOP candidate who torched LGBTQ-inclusive books finishes 6th in Missouri primary". NBC News. August 7, 2024. Retrieved April 21, 2026.
  9. 1 2 3 "LULAC denounces political candidate on social media calling for public execution of undocumented immigrants". lulac.org. LULAC. Retrieved April 21, 2026.
  10. ↑ "Who is Valentina Gomez making headlines for anti-Islam speech at Texas Capitol Rally – Watch video". Indiatimes. Retrieved April 21, 2026.
  11. ↑ "Video: Republican running for congress heckles Muslim event in Texas". Al Jazeera. Retrieved April 21, 2026.
  12. ↑ Bodunrin, Ajibola (August 27, 2025). "Texas Congressional Candidate Sparks Controversy with Quran-Burning Video". FOX 26 Houston. Retrieved April 20, 2026.
  13. ↑ "NJ mayor fires brother of anti-LGBTQ+ Republican extremist". www.advocate.com. Retrieved April 21, 2026.
  14. ↑ Syal, Rajeev (April 20, 2026). "Anti-Islam influencer Valentina Gomez blocked from entering UK for far-right rally". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved April 20, 2026.
  15. ↑ Singh, Divyadeep (December 3, 2025). "Who is Valentina Gomez? Republican running for Congress vows to make Texas free from 'terrorists and illegals'; all about her career and controversies". The Economic Times. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved April 21, 2026.
  16. ↑ "Home Office blocks anti-Islam influencer Valentina Gomez from entering UK". BBC News. April 20, 2026. Retrieved April 20, 2026.
  17. ↑ Zimmermann, David (April 20, 2026). "Valentina Gomez has UK visa yanked ahead of right-wing rally". Washington Examiner. Retrieved April 21, 2026.
  18. ↑ "Home Office blocks anti-Islam influencer Valentina Gomez from entering UK". BBC News. April 20, 2026. Retrieved April 21, 2026.
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