Staff Reports
In a shocking turn of events, Republican senators from states participating in Super Tuesday have chosen to keep their 2024 GOP primary votes under wraps. Despite the fact that former President Donald Trump has garnered the support of over half of the Senate Republican Conference, a number of senators have opted to remain tight-lipped until the general election.
Senator James Lankford of Oklahoma, who recently faced backlash from his own party over a bipartisan border security deal, couldn’t contain his laughter when asked to disclose his vote. On the other hand, Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina, known for his centrist views and support for bipartisanship, simply stated that he cast his vote for a “good group of candidates” without providing further details.
The Senate GOP conference includes many centrist and establishment Republicans who are recognized for their willingness to make bipartisan deals. Despite some members developing workable relationships with Trump during his presidency, the events following the 2020 election and the Capitol riot have left their alliances with the former president at a breaking point. This includes Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who, along with Senators Joni Ernst and Todd Young, has made it clear that they will not back Trump unless he secures the party’s nomination.
Following the 2022 midterm elections, where Republicans narrowly reclaimed the House and failed to regain Senate control, Trump’s critics within the GOP have become even more vocal. McConnell and his colleagues are currently in negotiations with Trump’s advisors in hopes of securing an endorsement before he officially becomes the nominee.
Overall, it seems like the GOP is facing a dramatic tug-of-war between the Trump loyalists and those who are seeking a different path forward for the party. Only time will tell how this intense battle for the soul of the Republican party will unfold.
