LIBERTY, Mo. (AP) – The winner of a GOP primary for a Missouri House seat has said on a radio show that “Hitler was right” and promoted conspiracies about Jewish “cabals” that torture children.

Steve West won Tuesday’s primary for a Clay County House seat by nearly 25 points over three other candidates.

The Missouri Republican Party on Thursday issued a statement distancing itself from West and saying his views had no place in the party or anywhere.

West said that his comments have been taken out of context and he wanted to concentrate on talking about issues and his platform.

State Rep. Jon Carpenter, the Democratic incumbent for the district, said he hoped most people who voted for West simply weren’t aware of his beliefs.