Elise Stefanik withdraws endorsement of Ohio’s Craig Riedel after leaked Trump comments
January 04, 2024 01:47 PM
House Republican Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY) withdrew her endorsement of an Ohio Republican candidate for Congress who was caught on a recording bashing former President Donald Trump.
Craig Riedel, a former Ohio state representative, had an audio tape surface last month where he told a donor he thought Trump was “arrogant” and said he would not endorse him nor seek his endorsement. Once the tape leaked, he quickly endorsed Trump for president, but it was too late. Republicans started turning against him, such as Rep. Max Miller (R-OH), who withdrew his endorsement of Riedel. Now Stefanik, the fourth-ranking House Republican, has too.
“Earlier this week, I informed Craig Riedel (OH-09) that I will be withdrawing my endorsement. I was very disappointed in his inappropriate comments regarding President Trump. 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,” Stefanik posted on X.
However, this doesn’t come without risks. The person Riedel was running against in the primary is J.R. Majewski, who ran for Congress last year but came under immense fire after the Associated Press reported he lied about his combat record in Afghanistan.
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The primary is to take on longtime Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), who is seen as one of the most vulnerable Democrats this cycle. But, House Republicans fear that if Majewski gets the nod, then they will have blown their chance at beating Kaptur, who beat Majewski last cycle.
The nonpartisan Cook Political Report rates Ohio’s 9th Congressional District race “lean Democrat.”