Politics

The Republican Elected Officials Who Refuse To Back Trump

REUTERS/Jim Bourg

Alex Pfeiffer White House Correspondent
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Despite his front-runner status, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has many members of his party openly refusing to support him. Find out who’s part of the “never Trump” movement below.

State Governors:

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan: Hogan said this month, “I’m not a Trump fan. I don’t think he should be the nominee. At this point in time, I have no idea who the candidates are going to be or who I’m going to vote for.” Hogan previously endorsed New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who has been backing Trump.

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker: “I said I wasn’t going to vote for Trump yesterday, and I’m not going to vote for him in November,” Baker said following Super Tuesday. The Massachusetts governor previously backed Christie.

U.S Congressmen:

Florida Rep. [crscore]Carlos Curbelo[/crscore]: The Miami congressman has taken a strong stance against Trump, even implying the New York real estate developer is a Democratic plant. “I think there’s a small possibility that this gentleman is a phantom candidate.” Curbelo said. “Mr. Trump has a close friendship with Bill and Hillary Clinton. They were at his last wedding. He has contributed to the Clintons’ foundation. He has contributed to Mrs. Clinton’s Senate campaigns. All of this is very suspicious.” Recent reports have said that he told constituents he would support Hillary Clinton in the general election over Trump, something that Curbelo has since denied. Curbelo’s house seat is described as “toss-up” by the Cook Political Report.

Michigan Rep. [crscore]Justin Amash[/crscore]: The libertarian congressman has described Trump as terrifying and said he “should go back to The Apprentice.” Amash previously backed Kentucky Sen. [crscore]Rand Paul[/crscore], he now supports Texas Sen. [crscore]Ted Cruz[/crscore].

Illinois Rep. [crscore]Bob Dold[/crscore]: “Congressman Dold believes Donald Trump’s disgusting and offensive comments toward Hispanics, veterans, women, Muslims—the list goes on—disqualify him from holding the office of President of the United States,” Dold’s congressional campaign said in a statement. Dold’s house seat is considered a toss-up.

New York Rep. [crscore]Richard Hanna[/crscore]: The New York congressman has said he won’t support either Trump or Cruz. “One of the problems the Republican Party has is that it feels it needs to pander to the far right,” Hanna said this month. The congressman is not seeking re-election.

Wisconsin Rep. [crscore]Reid Ribble[/crscore]: “I wouldn’t support Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump,” the Wisconsin congressman said in December. Ribble also announced in February that he is not seeking re-election.

Virginia Rep. [crscore]Scott Rigell[/crscore]: “I reject Trump as our nominee based on his judgement, temperament and character, all of which point to a reckless, embarrassing and ultimately dangerous presidency,” wrote the Virginia congressman in a March open letter. Riggell, like Ribble, is not seeking re-election in November.

U.S Senators:

Nebraska Sen. Ben Sasse: The Nebraska senator has been one of Trump’s toughest critics and has called for a third-party option if the New York real estate developer gets his party’s nomination. “If Donald Trump becomes the Republican nominee, my expectation is that I will look for some third candidate — a conservative option, a constitutionalist,” Sasse said in a February tweet. He has previously called Trump a “tiny little man.”