Republicans are growing increasingly bold in their support for a handful of candidates snubbed by former President Trump in hotly contested GOP primaries.
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But his endorsements could prove risky as he looks to cement his hold on a party that has splintered into competing factions ahead of the midterms.
“As they’re looking at candidates, they’re trying to reshape the Republican Party away from what a lot would call a corporatist approach and more towards this America First approach,” said former Trump administration official Alexei Woltornist.
Despite losing his reelection battle in November, Trump continues to be seen as a leading figure within the party.
A Reuters-Ipsos survey conducted late last month showed 81 percent of Republicans expressing a favorable opinion of Trump, while 49 percent said they strongly disagreed with the view that the former president should not run for public office again.
The decision by Hawley would ensure a debate and vote in the House and Senate on the Electoral College results.
“I cannot vote to certify the electoral college results on January 6 without raising the fact that some states, particularly Pennsylvania, failed to follow their own state election laws, Hawley said in a statement.
ADVERTISEMENT And I cannot vote to certify without pointing out the unprecedented effort of mega corporations, including Facebook and Twitter, to interfere in this election, in support of Joe Biden
His office didn t immediately respond to a question about which states he will object to next week.