Mark Sanford, Joe Walsh, and Bill Weld are GOP challengers to Trump’s candidacy for a second term. Four states so far have declined to give these candidates the chance to compete against Trump so Trump can focus on taking on the Democrats, according to NBC.
What We Know:
- Nevada, South Carolina, Kansas, and Arizona will not be holding primaries. The leaders in these states, like South Carolina GOP Chairman Drew McKissick, believes Trump has delivered on his promises for his constituents and prefers spending time defeating Democrats over questioning his administration. Mark Sanford comes from South Carolina which can be seen as an attempt to sideline Sanford in his own state. Sanford is considering legal challenges to the GOP’s actions.
When the former Governor of the Great State of South Carolina, @MarkSanford, was reported missing, only to then say he was away hiking on the Appalachian Trail, then was found in Argentina with his Flaming Dancer friend, it sounded like his political career was over. It was,….
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 9, 2019
- When Trump was asked if he would debate any of his challengers he went on to talk about how they were polling at 1% and that it’s a publicity stunt. Trump has a 94 percent popularity or approval rating within the Republican party.
- Republican leaders have stated that there’s nothing wrong with scrapping primaries, citing the 2012 re-election campaign of Barack Obama. These races could cost up to $250,000 to hold.
Information on the Kansas Republican Party’s national convention delegate selection plan. #ksleg pic.twitter.com/AAbgs9GYcj
— Kansas GOP (@KansasGOP) September 6, 2019
- Weld voiced his anger in a statement saying “the ultimate right of speech in America, and Trump’s machine in South Carolina has just told the people of South Carolina that they don’t need to be heard. Donald Trump wants to be treated as a monarch, but we rejected that idea 200 years ago.”
With this precedent it’s safe to say that it’s likely more states will follow to make sure that Donald Trump is the candidate for the Republicans.
