State parties are taking steps to punish Republicans who voted to condemn former President Trump
Donald TrumpMichigan Democrat Dingell on violent rhetoric: ‘I had men in front of my house with assault weapons’ McConnell does not rule out getting involved in the Republican primaries 75 percent of Republicans want Trump to play a prominent role in the Republican Party: poll MORE, highlighting the deep divisions in the GOP on the possibility of emerging from a tumultuous era.
Sens. Richard Burr
Richard Mauze Burr The Republican Party of North Carolina votes to censor Burr for the vote to condemn Trump Maine The GOP considers Collins’ censorship for the vote to condemn Trump Iowa Republican announces Senate candidacy with Grassley’s 2022 plans unclear MORE (RN.C.) and Bill Cassidy
Bill Cassidy The Republican Party of North Carolina votes to censor Burr for voting to condemn Trump Maine The GOP considers censoring Collins for voting to condemn Trump Ex-Sen. Jeff Flake asks the Republican Party to leave Trump: ‘We should have condemned him MORE (R-La.) Both were censored by their state parties for voting to condemn Trump for inciting a crowd to attack the Capitol – a break with most of his caucus who voted for absolution.
State parties in Nebraska, Pennsylvania and Maine plan to discuss punitive measures against Sens. Ben Sasse
Ben SasseCassidy: It was clear that Trump ‘wanted legislators to be intimidated’ The North Carolina Republican Party condemns Burr for impeachment vote against Trump Toomey in Trump’s vote: ‘His betrayal of the Constitution’ demanded condemnation MORE (R-Neb.), Pat Toomey
Patrick (Pat) Joseph ToomeyToomey censored by various Pennsylvania County Republican Party committees because of the impeachment vote Toomey in the Trump vote: ‘Your betrayal of the Constitution’ demanded Romney’s condemnation in the impeachment vote to condemn: ‘Trump incited the insurrection ‘ MOST (R-Pa.) E Susan Collins
Susan Margaret Collins The Republican Party of North Carolina votes to censor Burr for voting to condemn Trump Maine The GOP considers censoring Collins for the vote to condemn Trump Cassidy: It was clear that Trump ‘wished lawmakers to be intimidated’ MORE (R-Maine), who also voted for the conviction.
State parties have already censored the Reps. Liz Cheney
Elizabeth (Liz) Lynn CheneyJuan Williams: Bring sanity back to the Republican Party Rahm Emanuel predicts that Trump will seek revenge on Republican Party opponents, will not run for Republican reelection by forming a third party: Don’t count on it MORE (Wyo.) And Tom Rice
Hugh (Tom) Thompson RiceGOP Senator warns his party must decide between ‘conservatism and madness’ Here are Republican lawmakers censored by Republicans for Trump’s impeachment in South Carolina Republican Party votes to censor Rep. Rice on impeachment vote MORE (RS.C.) for his votes on Trump’s impeachment. The ex-president’s allies in the House tried to remove Cheney from his leadership post and have already started campaigning against her.
“State party censorship is just a reflection of where the party is,” said a former Trump adviser. “When these senators voted against Trump, they knew exactly what the consequences would be, so you will definitely see this civil war going on.”
Republican Party strategists are increasingly concerned about the possibility of an ugly primary season between Trump loyalists and those who believe the party should move on from the former president.
Sen. Lisa Murkowski
Lisa Ann MurkowskiJuan Williams: Bring sanity back to the GOP Klobuchar: Impeachment trial ‘was about not hiding the story’ Cassidy: It was clear that Trump ‘wanted lawmakers to be bullied’ MORE (R-Alaska) is the only Republican senator facing re-election in 2022 who voted to condemn Trump, and the former president’s allies say a primary challenge for Murkowski is almost guaranteed.
“Republicans need to stop fighting yesterday’s lost battles and focus on tomorrow,” said Republican strategist Colin Reed. “To regain relevance – and more importantly, the ability to govern – Republicans must focus their energy externally, not on each other. Until we do, we’ll just be screaming in the wind, and President biden
Joe BidenMcConnell does not rule out getting involved in Republican primaries. Perdue files paperwork to explore Hillicon Valley in 2022: Parler announces official relaunch | Google closes compensation deal with major Australian media company | China is central to the Republican Party’s efforts to resist Biden MORE and Democrats are going to savor every minute. ”
Trump advisers say it is too early to start talking about who will be first, but the effort is expected to be exhausted by the new company launched by Bill StepienBill StepienTrump’s refusal to admit sows confusion among the Biden team to campaign in Georgia for Democrats in the second rounds of the Trump campaign, RNC announces 0 million post-election fundraiser MORE, Former political adviser to Trump, who joined White House veterans Nick Trainer and Justin Clark.
State party leaders have defended punitive measures, saying they came from a wave of outrage by grassroots conservatives.
The central committee of the North Carolina Republican Party voted unanimously on Monday night to censor Burr, arguing that the impeachment trial was unconstitutional in itself because Trump is no longer in the White House.
In an interview with CNN on Tuesday, North Carolina party chairman Michael Whatley said he had been in contact with “hundreds of volunteers and activists” after Saturday’s Senate vote and heard a general disappointment with the vote. of Burr.
In Pennsylvania, the county’s Republican parties moved quickly to condemn Toomey for his impeachment vote, while the state GOP is planning a meeting to discuss “actions related to the impeachment vote,” according to a notice shared with committee members, signaling that a potential censure of Toomey may be on the table.
Toomey and Burr are retiring at the end of their terms, so there may be little risk for any of the senators.
Others who crossed Trump face tougher issues.
Sasse, 48, is seen as a potential candidate for the Republican Party presidency, although it is difficult to see his way forward in a party dominated by Trump. His state party was prepared to censor him even before Saturday’s vote – a move that seems even more right now.
In a statement, Nebraska Republican Party President Dan Welch said the party was “disappointed” by Sasse’s vote, echoing claims that the impeachment trial was “clearly unconstitutional”.
Sasse did not apologize, telling NPR on Tuesday that by getting so close to Trump, his party is prioritizing “short-term” political moves.
“I think it is important to make a frank assessment of where Lincoln and Reagan’s party are now,” said Sasse, elected for his second term in November. “I think there are a lot of things that the Lincoln and Reagan party needs to do to persuade people that we have a 2030 agenda, not a 20-minute Twitter agenda.”
In Alaska, Republicans say the bases are furious with Murkowski. At the same time, the state recently passed an electoral measure to implement an open primary in which the top four candidates from any party advance to the general election, almost guaranteeing that Murkowski leaves the primary. Alaskan GOP strategists say this makes Murkowski much more likely to win re-election despite the anger of Trump’s base.
“Republican districts are passing resolutions condemning her vote for impeachment and suggesting that she find a home in another party,” said Art Hackney, a veteran operative for the Republican Party in the state. “There is a lot of anger at her among Republicans, but that may well not make a difference with the second vote in force.”
In Louisiana, Cassidy’s vote to convict Trump was one of the trial’s biggest surprises.
The state GOP Executive Committee voted unanimously to censor Cassidy in the hours after his vote.
Cassidy just won re-election in 2020, running close to Trump and featuring him prominently in his ads.
“People outside of Louisiana have no idea how strong Trump is here,” said Bernie Pinsonat, a veteran political researcher from Louisiana. “I think Cassidy’s relationship with Republicans in Louisiana is fragmented and may not be repaired. We have never seen a senator re-elected and then immediately alienate most of the people who elected him. “
Not all states parties are reacting with punitive measures.
In Utah, where Sen. Mitt Romney
Willard (Mitt) Mitt Romney North Carolina Republican Party votes to censor Burr to vote on Trump’s sentencing Ron Johnson says attack on Capitol Hill ‘didn’t look like an armed uprising’ Petition for Romney’s censorship circulating among Utah Republicans MORE (R) voted to condemn and Sen. Mike Lee
Michael (Mike) Shumway LeePetition seeking Romney’s censorship circulating among Utah Republicans. Tuberville defends reporting of Trump’s call during Capitol riot. (R) voted for absolution, the GOP state issued a statement praising its senators for voting in their conscience and expressing their independence.
“The differences between our own Utah Republicans show a diversity of thinking, in contrast to the danger of a party fixing on unanimous thinking,” said the state party. “There is power in our differences as a political party.”
Frustrated grassroots conservatives in Utah released their own censorship article, saying that Romney had “shamed the state of Utah” and “misrepresented himself as a Republican”.
The Maine GOP senior did not speak publicly about Collins’ vote to condemn Trump. But in an email to members of the Republican state committee on Saturday, party chairman Demi Kouzounas told Republican Party officials to “be prepared for an emergency state committee meeting in the near future,” a sign that the party could be preparing a censorship of Collins.
“I understand that many of you are upset after what happened today, just like us, and many of you came to me,” wrote Kouzounas, adding later: “Rest assured, we listen to you, we understand how you feel, and we will to be having an open and robust discussion about it as a committee. “