Advertisement

'Never Trump' Republicans reportedly backing independent presidential candidate

Key donors in the Republican Party are looking to make a dent in Trump's chances of winning the p...
Newstalk
Newstalk

13.45 8 Aug 2016


Share this article


'Never Trump'...

'Never Trump' Republicans reportedly backing independent presidential candidate

Newstalk
Newstalk

13.45 8 Aug 2016


Share this article


Key donors in the Republican Party are looking to make a dent in Trump's chances of winning the presidency by announcing an independent candidate, it was reported on Monday. 

The news was broken early on Monday on MSNBC, where it was stated that a number of sources had said members of the so-called 'Never Trump' camp in the GOP were making a move to launch a campaign aimed at drawing support away from the New York businessman. 

The independent candidate would have strong financial backing from Republicans who want to make sure that Trump's views don't come to define the party for the next cycle.

Advertisement

A number of Republican politicians face tough congressional races, and backing the businessman amid the constant controversy created by his comments could hurt their chances of retaining or winning their seats.

According to BuzzFeed News, the candidate will be Evan McMullin, Chief Policy Director of the House Republican conference and former CIA agent who does not have a very strong public profile - his Twitter feed has shot to over 800 followers (at time of writing) from under 150 just this morning on the back of the news. 

McMullin would be helped in his campaign by the funding of the Republican donors, strategist Rick Wilson and some figures involved in the Better for America group, who pushed to get a third party, independent candidate on the ballots for this year's race.

If the reports are true, McMullin (or whoever the candidate is) won't be able to make it on to the ballot nationwide, but could feature in up to as many as 30 states. However, with time running out on the move to get someone else on the ticket, there are a number of roadblocks in the way that suggest this move isn't aimed at winning.

There are other candidates already on the ticket in some states in the form of the Green Party's Jill Stein and the Libertarian Party's Gary Johnson, but the move to push McMullin is seen as one that will present an independent conservative who Republicans can back, providing a credible alternative to Trump without having to say that they would back Hillary Clinton.

Via MSNBC, BuzzFeed News


Share this article


Read more about

News

Most Popular