Stefanik, others retract support for House GOP recruit over Trump criticism
OAN’s Abril Elfi
6:11 PM – Thursday, January 4, 2024
House Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik has withdrawn her endorsement for former Ohio state lawmaker Craig Riedel after he made comments criticizing former President Donald Trump.
Stefanik (R-N.Y.) released a statement on X (Twitter) retracting her endorsement for Riedel (R-Ohio) after he was caught on tape calling Trump “arrogant,” among other things.
“Earlier this week, I informed Craig Riedel (OH-09) that I would be withdrawing my endorsement. I was very disappointed in his inappropriate comments regarding President Trump,” Stefanik said. “As we begin 2024, my focus is on ensuring we nominate the strongest candidates on the ballot who are committed to electing President Trump this November and expanding our House GOP Majority.”
Riedel was an Ohio state representative for three terms before entering the race for the House seat, representing Ohio’s 9th Congressional District.
Riedel faced criticism after audio recordings of him denouncing Trump as “arrogant” while declaring that he did not want the former president’s support were leaked last month.
In the audio, it can be heard that Riedel is asked, “You’re not looking for a Trump endorsement, are you?” in which he responds, “I’m not. We are not. Nope.” He then calls Trump “arrogant” and expresses that he does not like the way the former president speaks or “calls people names.”
Representative Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) posted the leaked audio and labeled Riedel a “RINO,” which is an acronym that means “Republican In Name Only.”
The next day, Riedel quickly backpedaled and declared his support for Trump, citing his accomplishments in foreign policy, job creation, inflation, and the U.S. southern border.
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) and House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.), who both formally endorsed Trump’s 2024 White House bid this week, are among the House GOP leaders who have supported Riedel’s congressional bid.
In the wake of the audio release, some have abandoned Riedel, including Stefanik.
Last month, Representative Max Miller (R-Ohio) also announced that he was no longer endorsing Riedel, saying in a statement that, “Due to recent comments by Craig Riedel, I must rescind my support for his candidacy. Make America Great Again. AGAIN.”
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How did Craig Riedel’s critical comments about Trump impact his candidacy?
Title: House GOP Leader Elise Stefanik Withdraws Endorsement for Craig Riedel Over Trump Criticisms
Introduction:
In an unexpected turn of events, Elise Stefanik, the House Republican Conference Chair, has withdrawn her endorsement for former Ohio state lawmaker Craig Riedel. This decision came after Riedel made critical comments about former President Donald Trump, causing dissatisfaction among Stefanik and other House GOP leaders. This article examines the details of the controversy and its potential impact on Riedel’s candidacy.
Stefanik’s Withdrawal of Endorsement:
Elise Stefanik, a Republican representative from New York, released a statement on Twitter retracting her endorsement for Craig Riedel. The decision was made following the emergence of audio recordings in which Riedel referred to Trump as “arrogant” and expressed his lack of interest in seeking the former president’s endorsement. Stefanik expressed disappointment in Riedel’s comments, emphasizing her commitment to nominating candidates on the ballot who are dedicated to electing President Trump in the upcoming elections and expanding the House GOP Majority.
Riedel’s Background and Criticisms:
Craig Riedel, a former Ohio state representative, received backlash after the leaked audio recordings of his critical remarks about Trump surfaced. Riedel served three terms as a representative before entering the race for Ohio’s 9th Congressional District. In the recordings, Riedel explicitly stated that he did not want Trump’s endorsement, called Trump “arrogant,” and criticized the former president’s disdainful rhetoric.
Controversy and Backpedaling:
Representative Matt Gaetz from Florida posted the leaked audio recordings on Twitter, labeling Riedel as a “RINO” (Republican In Name Only). This further intensified the controversy, drawing attention to Riedel’s apparent lack of support for Trump. Subsequently, Riedel swiftly backpedaled and publicly declared his endorsement for Trump, citing the former president’s accomplishments in areas such as foreign policy, job creation, inflation, and securing the southern border.
Loss of Support:
While House Majority Leader Steve Scalise and House Majority Whip Tom Emmer have endorsed Trump’s 2024 White House bid and supported Riedel’s congressional campaign, Elise Stefanik’s withdrawal of endorsement indicates a change in the level of support Riedel can expect from House GOP leaders. Representative Max Miller from Ohio also announced last month that he no longer endorses Riedel, adding to the growing list of Republicans distancing themselves from Riedel due to his comments.
Conclusion:
Craig Riedel’s candidacy for Ohio’s 9th Congressional District has been marred by controversy surrounding his critical comments about Donald Trump. The withdrawal of endorsements from influential figures like Elise Stefanik and Max Miller raises questions about Riedel’s ability to garner sufficient support within the Republican Party. As the 2024 elections approach, Riedel’s ability to regain the trust of the Republican base and secure important endorsements will be crucial for his political future.
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