List of Republicans Who Have Pulled Their Support for Donald Trump
By I. A. Melton
HEMPSTEAD, NY – SEPTEMBER 26: Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump speaks during the Presidential Debate at Hofstra University on September 26, 2016 in Hempstead, New York. The first of four debates for the 2016 Election, three Presidential and one Vice Presidential, is moderated by NBC’s Lester Holt. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Republicans Who Are Outright Calling on Trump to Drop Out
Some Republicans are so outraged they would like for Trump to drop out of the race altogether. They know this is not really feasible, because the election is less than 30 days away. Another candidate with deeper ties to the party might be willing to find a compromise, but Trump has no loyalty to the Republican party as an institution–it’s more of a convenient vehicle he’s hijacked.
Trump has vowed he would not drop out of the race. Besides, ballots have been mailed out and early voting has started. Republicans could write-in Republican Vice-President nominee Mike Pence on the ballot, (and some declare that they are) but it’s akin to voting third party, and in this case would be the same a voting for Hillary Clinton. If Republicans think they can sway the Electoral College from each state to take Trump votes and give them as Pence they will be met with a huge opposition from their Republican base, not to mention Democrats and a storm of Clinton lawyers. It will make the election recount of 2000 look like a joke.
Sen. Mark Kirk (Illinois)
.@realDonaldTrump should drop out. @GOP should engage rules for emergency replacement.
— Mark Kirk (@SenatorKirk) October 8, 2016
Sen. John Thune (South Dakota)
Donald Trump should withdraw and Mike Pence should be our nominee effective immediately.
— Senator John Thune (@SenJohnThune) October 8, 2016
Sen. Mike Crapo (Idaho)
I can no longer endorse Donald Trump. Read my full statement: pic.twitter.com/lfa9mYZbdC
— Senator Mike Crapo (@MikeCrapo) October 8, 2016
Rep. Martha Roby (Alabama)
Donald Trump's behavior makes him unacceptable as a candidate for president, and I won't vote for him.
— Martha Roby (@MarthaRobyAL) October 8, 2016
Full statement: pic.twitter.com/Ge7GU1TSvm
Gov. Dennis Daugaard (South Dakota)
Enough is enough. Donald Trump should withdraw in favor of Governor Mike Pence. This election is too important.
— Dennis Daugaard (@SDGovDaugaard) October 8, 2016
Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (West Virginia)
WV GOP Sen. Shelley Moore Capito: Trump should "re-examine his candidacy". pic.twitter.com/0SpWNGcrhz
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) October 8, 2016
Rep. Rodney Davis (Illinois)
US Rep Rodney Davis rescinds support for Trump pic.twitter.com/JKD7bmH9CU
— Bernie Schoenburg (@bschoenburg) October 8, 2016
Rep. Scott Garrett (New Jersey)
Rep. Cory Gardner (Colorado)
If Donald Trump wishes to defeat Hillary Clinton, he should do the only thing that will allow us to do so - step aside. My full statement: pic.twitter.com/hadKP4gIrr
— Cory Gardner (@CoryGardner) October 8, 2016
Sen. Jeff Flake (Arizona)
.@realDonaldTrump is wrong about his level of support. He needs to withdraw from the race. https://t.co/sv7K3qmF1w
— Jeff Flake (@JeffFlake) October 8, 2016
Rep. Barbara Comstock (Virginia)
Donald Trump should step aside and allow our party to replace him..I cannot in good conscience vote for Trump. https://t.co/ExrJgblx7e #VA10
— Barbara Comstock (@BarbaraComstock) October 8, 2016
Sen. Ben Sasse (Nebraska)
Character matters.@realDonaldTrump is obviously not going to win.
— Ben Sasse (@BenSasse) October 8, 2016
But he can still make an honorable move:
Step aside & let Mike Pence try.
Rep. Scott Garrett (New Jersey)
Nebraska Sen. Deb Fischer
The comments made by Mr. Trump were disgusting and totally unacceptable under any circumstance. (1/2)
— Deb Fischer (@DebforNebraska) October 8, 2016
It would be wise for him to step aside and allow Mike Pence to serve as our party's nominee. (2/2)
— Deb Fischer (@DebforNebraska) October 8, 2016
Former New York governor George Pataki