Despite not appearing on the November ballot, former President Donald Trump has played a major role in the midterm elections by endorsing a slew of Republican candidates.
But a number of high-profile Republicans in battleground states have placed their support behind the Democratic candidates opposing some of those Trump-endorsed nominees. It’s not clear what effect, if any, the conflicting endorsements will have, but it does show how the Republican Party has fractured, to some extent, over whether to continue embracing the former president.
MAJORITY OF VOTERS HAVE ELECTION DENIERS ON BALLOT FOR POSITIONS THAT OVERSEE ELECTIONS
Here’s a list of Republicans who have backed Democrats over their party’s candidate:
Arizona
State Rep. Joel John (R) turned heads in Arizona after the Republican lawmaker endorsed Democratic candidate Adrian Fontes over Trump-backed state Rep. Mark Finchem (R) in the race for secretary of state.
“Our nation’s history is full of heroes who bravely stood up to do what was right even if it wasn’t popular in their respective camps,” John said in a statement. “We need more people like that today. I am proud to support Adrian Fontes and join noble Republicans and Independents who are willing to put country before party. … His opponent is someone who sought to get rid of voting by mail and has sought to overturn the 2020 election. Arizona deserves better.”
The race took on prominence in the state’s midterm elections after Secretary of State Katie Hobbs, who currently holds the position and has staunchly defended the state’s administration of the 2020 election, announced she would not seek reelection and would run for Senate instead. The issue of election integrity has become central to the race, with Finchem backing Trump’s unfounded claims that the 2020 election was riddled with fraud.
Arizona has become ground zero of Trump’s claims of voter fraud, with the state Senate spending months auditing the 2020 election in Maricopa County. Top county officials criticized the effort, stressing a report on the matter offered “no new evidence” that would alter the result of 2020’s presidential election.
Kansas
A handful of former Republican governors have thrown their support behind Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly (D-KS) in her reelection bid against state Attorney General Derek Schmidt, who was endorsed by Trump for his stances on border security and crime.
Former GOP Govs. Mike Hayden, who held office from 1987 to 1991, and Bill Graves, who held office from 1995 to 2003, endorsed Kelly, praising the incumbent for her bipartisan leadership.
“In 50 years in Kansas politics, I’ve seen the good times and the bad,” Hayden said. “The affairs of Kansas are in good shape right now, and I credit the bipartisan approach of Gov. Kelly.”
Former Govs. Kathleen Sebelius and John Carlin, both Democrats, also backed Kelly for reelection.
Oklahoma
Three Oklahoma state lawmakers have endorsed Democratic Senate candidate Kendra Horn in her fight against Trump-backed Rep. Markwayne Mullin (R).
Former Oklahoma House Speaker Kris Steele (R) offered his endorsement of Horn in a video on Wednesday, calling her “the kind of leader that we need to move our state forward in a positive, productive, and healthy direction.”
Horn has also been endorsed by former GOP state party Chairman Stephen Jones as well as Republican Steven Agee, the former chairman of the Oklahoma City Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City.
Pennsylvania
Several prominent Republicans have publicly endorsed Democratic candidate Josh Shapiro in his race against state Sen. Doug Mastriano for Pennsylvania governor. At least 16 Republicans publicly threw their support behind Shapiro in August after it was reported Mastriano posed for a photo wearing a Confederate uniform in 2014.
The governor’s race in Pennsylvania has become one of the higher-profile races, as it could have implications for how the 2024 presidential election is carried out in a key swing state. Throughout his campaign, Mastriano has backed claims by Trump that the 2020 election was rigged.
Republicans who have backed Shapiro include Michael Chertoff, who served as the secretary of Homeland Security under former President George W. Bush, and former state Rep. Mario Civera.
“[Shapiro is] a staunch defender of our democratic institutions and will lead Pennsylvania with honor and integrity. I am proud to support his campaign for governor,” Chertoff said.
Texas
Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is seeking reelection this year, but several high-profile Republicans in the state, including former Republican Lt. Gov. Bill Ratliff, have opted to support his Democratic opponent, Mike Collier.
Patrick is endorsed by Trump and touts the support on his website.
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“As a former elected Republican, I’m putting partisanship aside and joining the growing number of Republicans voting for the man we think is best for Texas, and that’s Mike Collier,” Ratliff said in a statement.
Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley and state Sen. Kel Seliger, both Republicans, have also endorsed the Democrat.
