Campaign

27 Republicans who won’t back Trump as nominee

by Haley Britzky, Luke Barr and Andrew Dunn - 03/03/16 6:00 AM ET

A growing number of Republicans are vowing not to support Donald Trump for president even if he wins the party’s nomination.

Trump racked up a number of wins on Super Tuesday, bringing him closer to being the GOP standard-bearer.

{mosads}He’s also picked up a number of crucial endorsements in recent days, including from Gov. Chris Christie (N.J.), who backed Trump after ending his own presidential bid, and from five lawmakers, including Sen. Jeff Sessions (Ala.).

But some Republicans say they cannot support the real estate mogul under any circumstances.

Sen. Ben Sasse (Neb.) became the first lawmaker in the upper chamber to vow not to vote for Trump, saying he would instead search for a third-party contender.

In an open letter to Trump supporters posted on his Facebook page, Sasse claimed that while many who are backing the front-runner are “well-meaning,” he cannot get behind a candidate focused on “tearing down rather than building back up this glorious nation.”

Across the Capitol, Reps. Reid Ribble (Wis.), Mark Sanford (S.C.), Carlos Curbelo (Fla.) and Scott Rigell (Va.) are also refusing to back Trump.

And the opposition isn’t just on Capitol Hill.

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker told reporters after Super Tuesday that he won’t vote for Trump.

A number of prominent pundits are also vowing to not back Trump, including Fox News contributor Erick Erickson.

This story was last updated on March 9 at 3:16 p.m.

Republicans who won’t back Trump

Rep. Justin Amash (Mich.)

Gov. Charlie Baker (Mass.)

Glenn Beck, conservative host

Jay Caruso, RedState

Eliot Cohen, former George W. Bush official

Rep. Carlos Curbelo (Fla.)