RALEIGH, NC – The Republican Party of North Carolina unanimously passed a resolution on Monday to censor Sen. Richard Burr for his vote to convict former President Donald Trump during his second impeachment trial.
Michael Whatley, the state party chairman, said the central committee’s decision serves as a symbolic gesture of the party’s opposition to Burr’s action.
“It is important for the party to go ahead and make a vote and a statement that it disagrees with Senator Burr’s vote, but in terms of practical impacts, that is all. It’s a resolution, ”said Whatley.
Burr, who has been in Congress for 26 years, including the last 16 as a senator, is one of several Republicans censored by state and municipal parties for voting for Trump’s impeachment.
“It’s really a sad day for Republicans in North Carolina,” said Burr in a statement. “My party leadership chose loyalty to a man over the fundamental principles of the Republican Party and the founders of our great nation.”
The senator announced in 2016 that he would retire from politics after his final term and would not seek re-election in 2022. Burr previously voted to reject the impeachment trial on the grounds that it was unconstitutional to challenge a president who was no longer in office.
But in a move that surprised some members of his party, Burr joined six of his Republican colleagues to condemn Trump for “inciting insurrection”. He then said in a statement that the Senate vote to proceed with the trial set a precedent that a former president could be impeached.
“I don’t take this decision lightly, but I believe it is necessary,” said Burr. “For what he did and what he didn’t do, President Trump violated his oath to maintain, protect and defend the United States Constitution.”
Ultimately, Trump was acquitted of the charge because the 57-43 vote fell short of the two-thirds majority needed for the sentencing.
Since the January 6 attack on the United States Capitol, which claimed the lives of five people, Trump has continued to exert influence over state parties. Amid harsh criticism from Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell and an increasing number of investigations into Trump’s role in sowing discord after his electoral defeat, the former president remains popular with his vocal segment of the Republican Party, that party officials will need if they want to. claim the House or Senate in the next elections.
Whatley believes Trump played an important role in helping North Carolina candidates in 2020, including the newly re-elected Republican Senator Thom Tillis, who declared Trump innocent of the incitement incitement charge. He wants to see Trump’s supporters in North Carolina become trusted Republican voters.
“The president will have the ability to help stimulate the base and alienate voters,” said Whatley.
Within hours of Burr’s decision, the North Carolina GOP and Republican 2022 Senate candidate Mark Walker quickly rebuked Burr.
“Wrong vote, Senator Burr,” wrote Walker on Twitter. “I’m running to replace Richard Burr because North Carolina needs a real conservative champion as its next senator.”
Burr is not the only one who had repercussions after Saturday’s vote. The Louisiana Republican Party executive committee voted unanimously later that day to censor Senator Bill Cassidy for his decision to condemn Trump. The Pennsylvania Republican Party is planning a meeting to potentially censor Senator Pat Toomey for his vote to condemn Trump, according to county party officials.
Burr said in a statement after the trial that Trump “has responsibility” for the US Capitol riot on January 6. Whatley, who served as a voter in the state that Trump narrowly won, refused to link the former president’s behavior to violence actions taken by his supporters on January 6, but said “clearly some events would not have occurred” if Trump had Electoral College vote 306-232 in favor of President Joe Biden accepted.
South Carolina Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said this weekend on Fox News Sunday that Burr’s decision to be sentenced strengthens the prospects of another Republican who has not yet declared her candidacy for Burr’s seat: Lara Trump.
Lara was born off the coast of North Carolina, in Wilmington, and is married to the son of former President Eric. She actively participated in the campaign in 2016 and 2020 and helped to garner support for her father-in-law in the state of Tar Heel.
Graham told Fox News presenter Chris Wallace that Burr “just made Lara Trump almost the right nominee for the North Carolina Senate seat to replace him if she runs.”
Whatley did not discuss which candidate he would support in 2022, but spoke positively of Lara Trump when asked if he would like to see her enter the race.
“If Lara wanted to enter the race, I think she would get immediate and widespread attention across the state,” said Whatley.
He also hopes that Burr will remain a visible force in North Carolina politics.
“He has been a leader, he has voted well, he has defended North Carolina throughout his career and we believe he will continue to play a leading role in the party,” said Whatley of Burr’s political future. “We are being very careful with tonight’s vote to focus on his vote for impeachment, after declaring that it was unconstitutional to move on. We are not scolding or chasing his record. We are focusing only on your vote.”