10 House Seats At RISK – Look Who’s On The Chopping Block
(LibertySociety.com) – In January 2021, 10 House Republicans joined the Democrats in voting to impeach former President Donald Trump for inciting an insurrection against the United States. Although the measure never led to a conviction, the previous US leader and others on the Right made it their mission to oust the crew from Congress. Only two remain — one representative in Washington and the other in California.
How the Mighty Have Fallen
The most recent and perhaps most surprising Republican to fall was Representative Liz Cheney (WY), who lost her primary to Harriet Hageman on August 16. Over the last year, the Wyoming legislator has been very vocal about her opposition to Trump, vowing to keep him out of the White House. That promise cost her the nomination in her home state.
Some of those who opposed the former commander-in-chief opted not to run for office at all. Notably, Representative Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), is the only other conservative sitting on the January 6 House Committee next to Cheney. He said the fight for the country is bigger than just his home state, saying he couldn’t concentrate on broader problems while in office. Representatives John Katko (R-NY), Anthony Gonzalez (R-OH), and Fred Upton (R-MI), also decided to step aside and give up their seats.
Others simply lost their primaries, like the Wyoming lawmaker, to other candidates who mostly had Trump’s blessing. Those who lost included Representatives Tom Rice (R-SC), Peter Meijer (R-MI), and Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA).
Republican Shift
Given the swift manner in which the majority of those opposing Trump scattered out of Washington, DC, a shift in the party is evident. Many candidates with the former leader’s seal of approval have advanced in their races.
After Cheney’s recent defeat in Wyoming, Eric Trump appeared on Newsmax to claim the GOP is “now the party of Trump.” The former president’s son said his father transformed the Right by “purging dissenters” and putting America first. There’s no denying his influence with Conservatives, many of whom think he will run for the White House in 2024.
Cheney, who is now on her way out, however, believes the Republican party is lost and needs to refocus, preserve democracy, and get back to its roots.
There seem to be two parts of the GOP currently — Trump Republicans and traditional Republicans. Who will dominate the party going forward? Only time will tell as voters speak through the election process.
Which direction do you think the party is headed?
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