The 2024 election is already turning out to be a contentious one, and not just with the general public. Representatives in both the House and the Senate have mixed feelings about the frontrunner for the Republican nomination, and for good reason. Donald Trump is currently facing more than 90 felony charges in four different jurisdictions, and there are some who think that he might not be the right way to go for the future of the country.
1. James Lankford – Oklahoma
Lankford has represented Oklahoma in the United States Senate since 2015, and was a member of the House of Representatives before that, from 2011 to 2015. He’s an ordained Southern Baptist minister, and is notably one of the more conservative Senators in the Senate GOP.
Despite his deeply conservative stances, Lankford has been quiet on whether or not he will support a third nomination of Trump for the GOP presidential pick. This reflects the currently divided stance of many GOP members in the Senate regarding the former president, and Lankford has not made any statements on whether he will ultimately provide his endorsement, should Trump get the nod.
2. Mitch Mcconnell – Kentucky
Mitch Mcconnell has a turbulent history with Trump. He endorsed him wholeheartedly for President during his 2016 run, and supported many of the policies that he put in place during his presidency, including the 2017 Tax and Jobs Act that was a landmark of the Trump term.
However, after the events of January 6, Mcconnell has maintained a cautious distance from the former – and possibly future – president. When asked if he would support a third Trump GOP nomination, Mcconnell made clear that he was staying out of the presidential primary process. That’s not to say that Trump won’t have his support in the future, but it remains to be seen.
3. Jerry Moran – Kansas
Jerry Moran has chosen not to endorse any candidate for president during the presidential primary process. He has been a senator for Kansas since his election in 2011, and chaired the National Republican Senatorial Committee for the 113th Congress.
Moran’s refusal to endorse any candidate is not due to a reticence regarding Trump in particular. Rather, it has to do with his acknowledgement of the competitiveness of the primary process for Republicans, and a desire to keep an eye on the playing field until there is one clear winner.
4. Chuck Grassley – Iowa
Like his colleague, Jerry Moran, Chuck Grassley of Iowa has also chosen not to endorse any one politician during the Republican primary. He’s a significant figure on the national stage, and particularly in Iowa politics, making his word influential.
His refusal to endorse reflects the stance that has been taken by the Iowa GOP as a whole, though. Iowa GOP party leaders have made a commitment to neutrality regarding the primary process, acknowledging the competitiveness of the field and the importance of this coming election in a deeply divided Republican conference.
5. Bill Cassidy – Louisiana
Bill Cassidy’s stance on the Trump nomination is surprising. The senator from Louisiana, early in the process, indicated an inclination towards supporting the Trump nomination, which was in line with his support of Donald Trump both during his presidency and both of his former campaigns.
In an interview with Meet the Press in 2023, though, Cassidy changed his stance. He stated that if Trump were the nominee for the Republican party, he might not vote straight Republican, at all. He wouldn’t vote for Joe Biden, either, instead stating that he would be open to writing in a third-party candidate who he thought might be better suited for the job.
6. Mitt Romney – Utah
Mitt Romney has been clear in his opposition to a third Trump nomination long before Trump announced that he was formally running for president a third time. He is a high-profile, verbal opponent of Trump, and his refusal to endorse in 2024 is not surprising.
Romney has even gone so far in his opposition to Trump to hint at a willingness to vote for President Biden in 2024. His reasons stem from Trump’s previous perceived ‘authoritarian’ inclinations, which Romney has been vehemently opposed to. Romney’s open stance is merely one part of ongoing division in the Republican Party regarding Trump, and highlights the complexities of the issue.
7. Dan Sullivan – Alaska
Alaskan Senator, Dan Sullivan, has staunchly refused to endorse any candidate for the Republican primary, including Trump. As with his colleagues, this reflects the caution that the Republican party is trying to operate with in the ongoing turbulent political landscape.
Despite this, it is very possible that Sullivan will ultimately give Trump his endorsement, should he win the Republican nomination. In his voting record, Sullivan aligned with Trump policies more than 90% of the time, making him one of the more deeply conservative members of the conference. It’s likely that whoever ends up getting the nom, Trump or not, will end up with Sullivan’s endorsement.
8. Shelley Moore Capito – West Virginia
Not only has Shelley Moore Capito out of West Virginia refused to endorse Trump for the Republican nomination, she has refused to endorse any Republican candidate for the nomination. Among Republican leaders, her stance remains highly uncertain, especially as primary season has begun, and continues.
The lack of information on who she will endorse, and whether she will endorse a candidate at all, adds a spark of intrigue to the process of the Republican nomination. Unlike her colleagues whose refusal to endorse stems from a dedication to neutrality, Capito’s refusal appears to be a little less certain as to her motivation.
9. John Kennedy – Louisiana
Like his colleague, Bill Cassidy, John Kennedy of Louisiana has refused to state whether he will endorse Trump for the Republican ticket for 2024. This is in spite of the fact that Trump endorsed Kennedy for reelection in the 2022 election, which Kennedy won handily.
News organizations have been pushing Kennedy to make a statement regarding his endorsement, as well. When asked, though, he’s held firm in not providing an answer on his endorsement. Whether or not he will in the future remains to be seen, but for now, Kennedy’s lips are locked.
10. Pete Ricketts – Nebraska
Senator Pete Ricketts has found himself under scrutiny from his Republican colleagues for his reluctance to endorse Donald Trump’s nomination for president. Given that many of the party support Trump – even if they haven’t endorsed him – Rickett’s silence on his support of the former President is telling.
Ricketts reluctance is a direct commentary on the divisions that have become more apparent in the party as the months have gone on. Trump’s legal challenges are something that many Republicans cannot or will not look beyond, and it seems that Ricketts may be one of the “never-Trump” camp.
11. John Thune – South Dakota
John Thune is the second-ranking member of the Senate GOP, working as the Senate Minority Whip. This means that his job is to wrangle the rest of the members of the Republican conference, gathering votes for issues that are important to the GOP as a whole.
This important job has made his refusal to endorse Trump notable. This refusal comes recently, too, with Thune refusing to give his endorsement after Trump’s sweeping victory in the New Hampshire primary. Thune is withholding his endorsement in recognition of the complicated politics regarding the Republican nomination, and it remains to be seen if he will ultimately endorse Trump.
12. Rand Paul – Kentucky
Rand Paul appears to be holding his cards close to his chest regarding his support of any one member of the GOP ahead of the Republican primary nomination. He has not said that he won’t endorse Trump, and has been meeting with other candidates ahead of primary season.
Among the candidates that Rand Paul has met with are Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is running as an independent. Paul’s willingness to meet with other candidates suggests that he believes that Trump’s nomination is not a foregone conclusion, and is waiting to see which way the tide turns before he makes a formal endorsement.
13. Todd Young – Indiana
Not only has Todd Young of Indiana not endorsed Trump for the Republican primary nomination, he has bluntly stated that he will refuse to do so. In mid-2023, Young stated in an interview that not only would he not endorse Trump, but he would not support his bid for the nomination at all.
Young is one of few Republicans who have openly taken this stance against Trump, joining the likes of senators like Mitt Romney. As the 2024 election draws closer, these deep division between pro-Trump Republicans and anti-Trump Republicans will become more clear.
14. Ron Johnson – Wisconsin
Ron Johnson has been fairly pragmatic in his refusal to endorse Trump. He has stated that he will not endorse Trump ahead of the formal nomination, instead choosing to allow the American constituents to make their choice about who they want for the Presidential nominee.
This stance aligns with Johnson’s stated intent to align his lawmaking and political stances with the will of the people that he represents, rather than any one candidate or philosophy. In a Republican party that is seeming more and more dogmatic regarding their support of Trump, this is a refreshing take.
15. Lisa Murkowski – Alaska
Murkowski is the second federal senator from the remote state who has refused to endorse Trump. Like her colleague, Dan Sullivan, she has remained quiet on supporting Trump for the 2024 nod. Unlike her colleague, though, it appears unlikely that Murkowski will ultimately decide to support Trump.
This conclusion can be drawn due to her strong stance against the events of January 6, as well as her decision to vote to convict Trump in his impeachment trial for the same. Her vote to convict was a stark contrast to her fellow senators, and it appears deeply unlikely that she will change her stance on Trump going into the 2024 election.
16. John Boozman – Arkansas
John Boozman of Arkansas has remained silent on his stance regarding an endorsement for the 2024 election. He has not released a formal statement whether he will or will not be supporting Trump, and further than that, has not released a statement that he will be endorsing a candidate at all.
The quiet from the Boozman camp has led to some significant speculation on his stance, though none of the rumors have been confirmed or denied. Only time will tell if the Arkansas senator will be taking a stance on Trump this year, rather than rumors from the GOP rank and file.
17. Mike Rounds – South Dakota
Senator Mike Rounds of South Dakota is unique in his stance not to support Trump. He has stated that he will not be issuing an endorsement for any Republican candidate for president, unless that candidate happens to be Tim Scott.
In an interview with Meet the Press, Rounds expressed hesitancy around endorsing any one candidate, choosing instead to take a “wait and see” approach regarding the nomination. The Republican field is still crowded, and though it appears to have come down between Nikki Haley and Donald Trump, it’s still anybody’s race for the nomination.
