begin quote from:
List: Which Republicans oppose Trump and why?
| CNN | - |
Here's
a semi-comprehensive list we'll be updating of the many notable
Republicans who have said they won't support GOP presidential nominee
Donald Trump, why they're opposing him and who they'll back instead: ...
List: Which Republicans oppose Trump and why?
Story highlights
- The list keeps getting longer
- There are many different reasons Republicans won't back Trump
Here's
a semi-comprehensive list we'll be updating of the many notable
Republicans who have said they won't support GOP presidential nominee
Donald Trump, why they're opposing him and who they'll back instead:
Senators
Susan Collins:
The Maine senator wrote an op-ed in The Washington Post on August 8
stating that although she is a lifelong Republican, she will not support
the party's nominee -- a decision she says she does not take "lightly."
"Donald Trump does not reflect historical Republican values nor the
inclusive approach to governing that is critical to healing the
divisions in our country," Collins wrote.
Supporting: Not Trump or Clinton; said she would consider voting for the Libertarian ticket, may write in a name.
Sen. Susan Collins: Trump is antithetical to GOP values 01:48
Mark Kirk:
The Illinois senator said June 8 that he "cannot and will not support"
Trump -- who he said "does not have the temperament" to be commander in
chief. Kirk faces a tough challenge in November from Illinois Democratic
Rep. Tammy Duckworth.
Supporting: Kirk told CNN that he will write in former CIA director David Petraeus.
Sen.
Mark Kirk (R-IL) questions a group of nuclear experts at a public forum
on the safety of Illinois nuclear power plants on March 25, 2011 in
Chicago, Illinois.
Ben Sasse:
The freshman senator from Illinois was the first in the Senate to
consistently and vocally oppose Trump, who he has said "does not even
know what the Constitution is about." He urged voters to vote their
conscience in a post on Medium July 11, and has said he will support
neither Trump nor Clinton.
Supporting: Sasse has suggested he may look for a third candidate.
Sen.
Ben Sasse (R-NE) (3L) arrives at the Capitol for a cloture vote on the
Keystone XL Pipeline January 26, 2015 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC.
Lindsey Graham:
The South Carolina senator told CNN May 6 that he won't vote for Trump
or Clinton. Saying he thinks the Republican Party has been "conned,"
Graham added that he doesn't think Trump is "a reliable Republican
conservative."
Supporting: Hasn't said publicly.
Sen.
Lindsey Graham (R-SC) speaks at the Growth and Opportunity Party, at
the Iowa State Fair October 31, 2015 in Des Moines, Iowa.
Ted Cruz:
The Texas senator and former Trump rival hasn't explicitly said he
won't vote for Trump, but he pointedly refused to endorse the nominee
during a prime-time speech at the Republican National Convention. He
defended his decision the next day, saying he's not "in the habit" of
backing politicians who attack his family.
Supporting: Cruz hasn't said who he supports, but he urged voters at the RNC to follow their "conscience."
Ted Cruz to Republicans: Vote your conscience 00:48
Jeff Flake:
The Arizona senator doesn't support the nominee, but he said on CBS'
"Face the Nation" August 7 that he still hopes to. "It's becoming
increasingly difficult to see that he's going to make the changes that
he needs," Flake added.
Supporting: Not Clinton; still holding out hope for a big change from Trump
Sen. Jeff Flake (R-AZ) walks to a Senate joint caucus meeting, on Capitol Hill, July 15, 2013 in Washington, DC.
Dean Heller:
The Nevada senator Dean Heller told Politico June 30 that he Trump "did
a lot of damage" and that he thinks it'll be difficult for the
Republican nominee to "recover from his previous comments. "I'll give
him a chance, but at this point, I have no intentions of voting for
him," Heller said.
Supporting: Hasn't said publicly.
Sen.
Dean Heller (R-NV) speaks during a rally for Republican presidential
candidate Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) at the Texas Station Gambling Hall
& Hotel on February 21, 2016 in North Las Vegas, Nevada.
Representatives
Scott Rigell:
The House member, who announced he won't run for re-election in his
Virginia district, said August 6 that he will vote for Libertarian Gary
Johnson for president over his party's nominee.
Supporting: Johnson.
Rep.
Scott Rigell (R-VA) talks on his phone as he arrives at a House
Republican Conference meeting September 28, 2013 on Capitol Hill in
Washington, DC.
Richard Hanna:
The New York lawmaker was the first Republican member of Congress to
openly announce he will vote for Hillary Clinton in November. In an
op-ed for Syracuse.com August 2, Hanna -- who is retiring after this
term -- wrote that Trump is "deeply flawed in endless ways" and
"unrepentant in all things" then declared: "While I disagree with her on
many issues, I will vote for Mrs. Clinton."
Supporting: Clinton.
Rep.
Richard Hanna (R-NY) (R) and representatives of women's groups hold a
rally to mark the 40th anniversary of congressional passage of the Equal
Rights Amendment (ERA) outside the U.S. Capitol March 22, 2012 in
Washington, D.C.
Adam Kinzinger:
The Illinois lawmaker told CNN's Wolf Blitzer in August that he doesn't
see how he can support Trump following his comments about NATO and the
Khan family. "I'm an American before I'm a Republican," he told Blitzer.
But Kinzinger said he would not support Clinton.
Supporting: Most likely writing in a candidate.
Republican doesn't think he can support Donald Trump 01:26
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen:
The senior member of Florida's congressional delegation told the Miami
Herald May 6 that she won't back either Trump or Clinton. Ros-Lehtinen,
who was born in Cuba and emigrated to the U.S., said she will "work
with whomever is chosen by the American people to serve as president,"
but noted, "In this election, I do not support either Donald Trump or
Hillary Clinton."
Supporting: Will write in Jeb Bush
House
Foreign Affairs Committee members Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) (L) and Rep.
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) talk before a hearing about Cuba policy in
the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill February 4, 2015 in
Washington, DC.
Charlie Dent:
The Pennsylvania House member said on MSNBC on August 2 that he will
not support Trump or Clinton and has "no plans" to vote for Trump. "I
think some of us have to stand up once in a while and just have to say
how we feel about this," Dent said.
Supporting: Hasn't said publicly.
Congressman
Charlie Dent, Representative for Pennsylvania's 15th congressional
district, attends the 2015 Global Citizen Festival to end extreme
poverty by 2030 in Central Park on September 26, 2015 in New York City.
Mike Coffman:
The Colorado representative aired an ad August 4 publicly voicing his
unhappiness with his party's nominee -- speaking directly into the
camera, he says: "People ask me, 'What do you think about (Donald)
Trump?' Honestly, I don't care for him much." The congressman, a Marine
who served in the Army reserves, said he wouldn't rule out voting for
Trump -- though he said it's hard to imagine the campaign changing
enough that he would lend his support.
Supporting: Not ruling out Trump, considering Johnson.
Chairman Mike Coffman (R-CO) speaks during a House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee hearing on April 13, 2014 in Washington, DC.
Bob Dold:
One of the first Republicans to oppose Trump, the Illinois
representative told WLS May 6: "I will not support Donald Trump,"
referring to Trump's comments about women, Muslims, Latinos and POWs.
"We're looking for a uniter, not a divider," he said.
Supporting: Will write in a candidate.
Rep.
Mike Thompson (D-CA), Rep. Bob Dold (R-IL), Rep. Elizabeth Esty (D-CT)
and Rep. Kathleen Rice (D-NY) hold a news conference about new
legislation to enforce background checks for gun purchases in the Canon
House Office Building on Capitol Hill March 4, 2015 in Washington, D.C.
Governors
John Kasich:
The Ohio governor and Trump's former rival has been one of the most
prominent figures to withhold his support from Trump -- although he
hasn't explicitly said he won't vote for the nominee. He told CNN August
5 that he wishes he could be "fully enthusiastic," but said, "I don't
know what's going to happen at the end."
Supporting: Says he hasn't decided yet.
Kasich: I might not vote GOP for president 05:58
Larry Hogan: The governor of Maryland said June 15 that he "doesn't plan" to vote for Trump.
Supporting: Hogan says he's "not sure" who he'll vote for.
Gov.
Larry Hogan (R-MD) (R), listens to questions during a meeting with
members of the National Governors Association, in the State Dining Room
at the White House, February 22, 2016 in Washington, DC.
Charlie
Baker: The Massachusetts governor said he likely won't support Trump or
Clinton. "The things he said about women and Muslims and religious
freedom, I just can't support," Baker said. "At the same time, I do
believe Secretary Clinton has a huge believability problem."
Supporting: Hasn't said publicly
Gov.
Charlie Baker of Massachusetts and wife Lauren Baker march in the
annual South Boston St. Patrick's Parade passes on March 20, 2016.
Party elders
Jeb Bush:
The ex-Florida governor and Trump's former rival announced on Facebook
May 6 that he would not vote for Trump or Clinton -- stating the
Republican nominee has not demonstrated the "temperament or strength of
character" to be president.
Supporting: Not Trump or Clinton, but "will support principled conservatives at the state and federal levels."
Jeb Bush speaks to an audience of voters on February 18, 2016 in Columbia, South Carolina.
Barbara Bush:
The former first lady told CNN's Jamie Gangel February 5 that Trump has
said "terrible things about women, terrible things about the military."
"I don't even think about him," she said. "I'm sick of him."
Supporting: Hasn't said publicly.
President
George H.W. Bush and his wife, Mrs. Barbara Bush attend the HBO
Documentary special screening of "41" on June 12, 2012 in Kennebunkport,
Maine.
Mitt Romney:
The 2012 Republican nominee has long openly opposed Trump's candidacy,
telling CNN June 10 that his election could legitimize racism and
misogyny in America.
Supporting: Has said he wouldn't rule out voting for the Libertarian ticket.
Mitt Romney: 'This is breaking my heart' 00:45
Larry Pressler:
The former three-term senator from South Dakota endorsed Clinton June
12 following the Orlando terror attack, stating that she "would be able
to handle such explosive situations which are terrorist inspired much
better than Donald Trump."
Supporting: Clinton.
Former
senator Larry Pressler attends the Jericho Project Gala "Celebrate Them
Home" at Pier Sixty at Chelsea Piers on April 29, 2010 in New York
City.
Vin Weber:
The former ally of Newt Gingrich and a representative from Minnesota
for 12 years told CNBC August 3 that he rejects Trump's candidacy --
calling his nomination "a mistake of historic proportions." Weber said
he hasn't decided if he'll vote for Clinton.
Supporting: Hasn't decided.
Mexican
President Vicente Fox (L) accepts the National Endowment For
Democracy's (NED) 2001 Award on Capitol Hill in Washington from Vin
Weber of the NED.
Gordon Humphrey:
The former New Hampshire senator told NBC News August 4 that he won't
support Trump, and would vote for Clinton if the contest in his home
state, New Hampshire, is close. "I am ever more confirmed in my belief
that Trump is a sociopath, without a conscience or feelings of guilt,
shame or remorse," Humphrey wrote.
Supporting: Clinton -- but only if the race in New Hampshire is close.
Gordon
Humphrey, speaks to the media on the first day of the Republican
National Convention on July 18, 2016 at the Quicken Loans Arena in
Cleveland, Ohio.
Chris Shays: Former congressman Chris Shays of Connecticut wrote in an op-ed on CNN that,
"I think many Republicans know Donald Trump could cause great damage to
our country and the world at large, and still plan to vote for him. But
not me. He represents practically everything I was taught not to be,
and everything my wife and I taught our daughter not to be."
Supporting: Clinton
William
Milliken: The former Michigan governor said in a statement August 8
that he won't support Trump, and will cast his vote for Clinton,
according to the Detroit Free Press.
Supporting: Clinton
Party insiders
Sally Bradshaw:
Jeb Bush's former top adviser told CNN August 2 that she has left the
Republican Party, and that if the race is close in her home state of
Florida, she will vote for Clinton. Bradshaw said the Republican Party
is "at a crossroads and have nominated a total narcissist -- a
misogynist -- a bigot."
Supporting: Clinton -- but only if the race in Florida is close
Florida
State Board of Education member Sally Bradshaw, gestures as she
interviews finalists for the Commissioner of Education Tuesday, Dec. 11,
2012, in Tampa, Fla.
Maria Comella:
Chris Christie's longtime aide told CNN August 2 she will vote for
Clinton -- calling Trump "a demagogue" who preys "on people's anxieties
with loose information and salacious rhetoric, drumming up fear and
hatred of the 'other.'"
Supporting: Clinton
Maria Comella helped elevate Gov. Chris Christie's national image.
Meg Whitman:
The president and CEO of Hewlett-Packard and a major GOP donor said
August 2 that she will support Clinton over Trump -- stating that
Trump's "demagoguery has undermined the fabric of our national
character." The former California gubernatorial candidate said she would
contribute to Clinton's campaign and its allied super PACs.
Supporting: Clinton
Newly
formed Hewlett-Packard Enterprise Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Meg
Whitman speaks during a press conference in New York on November 2,
2015.
Hank Paulson:
The Republican Treasury secretary endorsed Clinton June 24, writing in
an op-ed in The Washington Post that "a Trump presidency is
unthinkable." "To my Republican friends: I know I'm not alone," Paulson
wrote.
Supporting: Clinton
Former
U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson testifies during a hearing before
the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission May 6, 2010 on Capitol Hill in
Washington, DC.
Marc Racicot:
The former governor of Montana and former chairman of the Republican
National Committee wrote in an op-ed in The Washington Post that he
"cannot endorse or support" Trump.
Supporting: "Honestly, I do not know what I'm going to do," he told Bloomberg Politics.
Bush-Cheney
'04 Campaign Chairman Marc Racicot speaks during the opening session of
the 2004 RNC August 30, 2004 at Madison Square Garden in New York
City.
Mark Salter:
The former top adviser to Sen. John McCain tweeted his support for
Clinton on May 3, writing; "the GOP is going to nominate for President a
guy who reads the National Enquirer and thinks it's on the level. I'm
with her."
Supporting: Clinton
Mark
Salter speaks to the travelling press after McCain announced he was
suspending his campaign September 24, 2008 at a hotel in New York City.
Lezlee Westine:
The former aide to President George Bush announced August 8 she will
support Clinton -- writing that the country "faces a unique set of
challenges that require steady and experienced leadership."
Supporting: Clinton
Christine Todd Whitman:
The former governor of New Jersey said March 1 she would "probably"
vote for Clinton over Trump. "While I certainly don't want four more
years of another Clinton administration or more years of the Obama
administration, I would take that over the kind of damage I think Donald
Trump could do to this country, to its reputation, to the people of
this country," Whitman said.
Supporting: "Probably" Clinton
Christine
Todd Whitman attends Making Strides: Advancing Women's Leadership -
Opening Reception at Vizcaya Museum & Gardens on November 17, 2015
in Miami, Florida.
George Will:
The conservative commentator and columnist said June 26 that he left
the Republican Party because of Trump -- "I decided that in fact this
was not my party anymore," he said.
Supporting: Hasn't said publicly
Syndicated
Columnist George Will speaks during the 18th Annual Borton, Petrini
& Conron, LLP's Bakersfield Business Conference on October 12, 2002
in Bakersfield, California.
Paul Singer: The Republican megadonor said in May he will not support Trump or Clinton.
Supporting: Hasn't said publicly
Founder
and President, Elliot Management Corporation Paul Singer speaks onstage
during The New York Times DealBook Conference at One World Trade Center
on December 11, 2014 in New York City.
Charles and David Koch:
The Republican donors have withheld their support from Trump, and
Charles Koch suggested in April it was "possible" Clinton would be a
better president.
Supporting: Haven't said publicly
National security and foreign policy leaders
National security experts:
A group of 50 leaders in the Republican foreign policy and national
security community wrote an open letter condemning Trump and pledging to
oppose his presidential candidacy Monday. "We are unable to support a
Party ticket with Mr. Trump at its head," they wrote in the letter.
The
authors of the letter included former director of the National Security
Agency Michael Hayden; Michael Chertoff, the director of Homeland
Security under George W. Bush; John Negroponte, the former Director of
National Intelligence; Robert Kagan, a leader of the neoconservative
movement and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations; Eric Edelman,
former Under Secretary of Defense Policy during the first Bush
administration and U.S. Ambassador to Turkey; and dozens of other former
Republican presidential administration officials and conservative think
tank members.
Richard Armitage:
The deputy secretary of state under George W. Bush told Politico June
16 he will vote for Clinton over Trump. A retired Navy officer who also
served as an assistant secretary of defense under Ronald Reagan,
Armitage said Trump "doesn't appear to be a Republican, he doesn't
appear to want to learn about issues."
Supporting: Clinton
Richard
Armitage, former US Deputy Secretary of State, listens as Admiral
Katsutoshi Kawano, Japan's chief of staff of the Joint Staff Council and
Self-Defense Forces, speak at the Center for Strategic and
International Studies in Washington, DC on July 16, 2015.
Brent Scowcroft:
The National Security Adviser to Presidents George H. W. Bush and
Gerald Ford, who worked in the White House of Presidents Richard Nixon
and George W. Bush, endorsed Clinton June 23. He said the former
secretary of state "brings truly unique experience and perspective to
the White House."
Supporting: Clinton
Former
National Security Advisor Brent Scowcroft testifies during a Senate
Armed Services Committee hearing on Capitol Hill, January 21, 2015 in
Washington, DC.
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