Kyle Langford, a Republican candidate for governor of California, is facing widespread condemnation after posting a photo of himself in front of the Auschwitz concentration camp with the caption: “My 0% Unemployment Plan.”

Langford, a San Jose native, has worked as a construction manager and served as executive director of the California First PAC, according to Ballotpedia.

The post drew immediate backlash on social media, including from the Auschwitz Memorial, which called the post a “profound moral failure.” The organization wrote: “@KyleLangfordCA, your post is an affront to the dignity of the victims and a disturbing display of insensitivity and disregard to horrifying human history.”

The instrumentalization of the tragedy of all those imprisoned and murdered in the German Nazi concentration and extermination camp Auschwitz for political messaging is a profound moral failure. Auschwitz is not a prop. @KyleLangfordCA, your post is an affront to the dignity of… pic.twitter.com/06E6RYPXG8

— Auschwitz Memorial (@AuschwitzMuseum) July 26, 2025

Langford responded to the Auschwitz Memorial’s post by referring to Auschwitz as “a beautiful Work Camp.”

The European Democratic Party, also denounced the post, stating, “This isn’t humor, it’s hatred in disguise. … That someone like this could aspire to political office is not just shocking — it’s disgraceful.”

Langford defended the message, saying in a reply to the European Democrats that he wasn’t joking and believed it is “exactly what is needed to stabilize California and keep people safe.”

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