Republican leaders began to abandon their presidential candidate, Donald Trump, after a video revealed him making predatory comments about women. By Saturday morning, CNN’s Erin Burnett and one of Trump’s former female business associates had related nearly identical stories of groping and attempts to solicit sex.
The dam seems to have broken. Many Republicans have finally expressed that Trump has gone too far in a campaign of unprecedented lows. More than two dozen have now said they will not vote for Trump, or have explicitly called for him to step down. We’ve compiled a list of Republican officials who have said they will no longer support Trump as the party’s presidential nominee in the last 24 hours.
| Republicans who say Trump should step down |
|---|
| Former Gov. Christina Todd Whitman of New Jersey |
| Rep. Barbara Comstock of Virginia |
| Rep Bradley Byrne of Alabama |
| Rep. Martha Roby of Alabama |
| Rep Scott Garrett of New Jersey |
| Sen. Mike Crapo of Idaho |
| Rep. Mike Coffman of Colorado |
| Gov. Dennis Daugaard of South Dakota |
| Carly Fiorna |
| Rep. Joe Heck of Nevada |
| Sen. Cory Gardner of Colorado |
| Rep. Mia Love of Utah |
| Rep. Mike Coffman of Colorado |
| Former Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. of Utah |
| Sen. John Thune of South Dakota |
| Sen. Dan Sullivan of Alaska |
| Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska |
| Rep. Barbara Comstock of Virginia |
| Sen Shelley Moore Capito of W.Virginia |
| Sen. Deb Fischer of Nebraska |
| Rep. Ann Wagner of Missouri |
| Rep. Rodney Davis of Missouri |
| Rep. Chris Stewart of Utah |
| Rep. Cresent Hardy of Nevada |
| Former Sec. State Condoleezza Rice |
| Rob Engstrom of US Chamber of Congress |
| Ex-Gov. George Pataki of New York |
| Rep. Justin Amash of Michigan |
| Conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt |
| Republicans who say they won’t vote for Trump |
|---|
| Gov Gary Herbert of Utah |
| Sen. Jason Chaffetz of Utah |
| Sen Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire |
| Gov Bentley of Alabama |
| Gov. Sandoval of Nevada |
| Sen. John McCain of Arizona |
| Gov. John Kasich of Ohio |
| Rep. Jeff Fortenberry of Nebraska |
| Rep. Tom Rooney of Florida |
| Rep. Erik Paulsen of Minnesota |
| Rep. Frank LoBiondo of New Jersey |
| Former Gov. Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota |
| Former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger of California |
| Sen. Rob Portman of Ohio |
| Republicans who never endorsed Trump, want him to step down |
|---|
| Sen. Jeff Flake of Arizona |
| Sen. Mark Kirk of Illinois |
| Sen. Mike Lee of Utah |
| Sen. Ben Sasse of Nebraska |
| Rep. Charlie Dent of Pennsylvania |
| Rep. Fred Upton of Michigan |
Here are Republican statements on Trump’s presidential bid since the release of the videos Friday night.
Gov Arnold Schwarzenegger of California
John McCain of Arizona, US Senate
McCain’s statement read in part:
Donald Trump’s behavior this week, concluding with the disclosure of his demeaning comments about women and his boasts about sexual assaults, make it impossible to continue to offer even conditional support for his candidacy. Cindy, with her strong background in human rights and respect for women fully agrees with me in this.
“Cindy and I will not vote for Donald Trump. I have never voted for a Democratic presidential candidate and we will not vote for Hillary Clinton. We will write in the name of some good conservative Republican who is qualified to be President.
John Thune of South Dakota, US Senate
Thune is the third-ranking Senate Republican.
Jason Chaffetz of Utah, US Senate
Chaffetz told CNN, “That was an apology for getting caught,” while also declaring, “I’m out! I can no longer in good conscience endorse this person for president”
Gary Herbert, Governor of Utah
Kelly Ayotte, New Hampshire, US Senate
Ayotte can no longer support a presidential candidate “who brags about degrading and assaulting women,” according to a statement. She plans to to write in vice presidential running mate Mike Pence’s name for president.
Barbara Comstock Virginia, US House of Representatives
Bradley Byrne of Alabama, US House of Representatives
Martha Roby, Alabama, US House of Representatives
Scott Garrett of New Jersey, US House of Representatives
Mike Crapo of Idaho, US Senate
“I have reached the decision that I can no longer endorse Donald Trump,” said Crapo, reports CNN. “This is not a decision that I have reached lightly, but his pattern of behavior has left me no choice. His repeated actions and comments toward women have been disrespectful, profane and demeaning.”
Mike Coffman of Colorado, US House of Representatives
“For the good of the country, and to give the Republicans a chance of defeating Hillary Clinton, Mr. Trump should step aside,” he said on Friday. “His defeat at this point seems almost certain. And four years of Hillary Clinton is not what is best for this country. Mr. Trump should put the country first and do the right thing.”
Dennis Daugaard, Governor of South Dakota
Carly Fiorna, former GOP presidential primary candidate
Joe Heck of Nevada, US House of Representatives (and GOP Senate candidate)
Heck was booed during a campaign stop after withdrawing support for Trump and calling for him to step down. “I can no longer in good conscience support Donald Trump, nor can I vote for Hillary Clinton,” he said.
State level politicians in places like Iowa and Ohio are also calling for their governors and other elected officials to denounce Trump as well.
Disappointed but still in support
Plenty of others, humiliated by Trump in the past, stood by their endorsements while offering some harsh, couched criticism. House Speaker Paul Ryan cancelled a joint appearance with the candidate in Wisconsin this weekend saying he was “sickened by what I heard.” He did not withdraw his endorsement. Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus offered similar words: “No woman should ever be described in these terms or talked about in this manner. Ever.”
North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory, a campaigned partner with Trump this year, said in a statement on Friday night that he was “disgusted” but refrained from withdrawing support.