Tri-Cities’ Republican lawmakers reaffirm Trump support after New Hampshire primary
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JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) — After key victories in the New Hampshire Republican primary and Iowa caucuses, multiple sources agree former president Donald Trump has a good chance of securing the nomination for the presidential race. However, candidate Nikki Haley is continuing to campaign and hoping to change that course.
Republican lawmakers representing the Tri-Cities in Washington D.C. have made their stance on the Republican primary clear.
Griffith: Republican primary already ‘essentially over’
Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger represents Tennessee’s 1st District, to which Northeast Tennessee belongs. Harshbarger officially endorsed Trump’s 2024 run in April 2023.
On Wednesday, Harshbarger released the following statement after Trump’s success in New Hampshire:
“It’s inevitable that President Trump will win the Republican nomination, and the party should unite behind him in order to defeat Joe Biden. Under Trump, our border was secure and our economy was thriving. The choice is clear in November, Americans cannot survive another 4 years of Joe Biden.”
Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger
Tennessee’s U.S. Senators, both of whom are Republicans, have also signaled their continued support for Trump.
Senator Marsha Blackburn reiterated her endorsement of Trump Wednesday and urged Haley to suspend her campaign in a statement provided to News Channel 11.
“President Donald Trump is the only candidate who can and will defeat Joe Biden in November, and I am honored to support him. It’s time for the Republican Party to get behind Donald Trump. Nikki Haley should get out of the race so that we can focus on defeating Joe Biden and saving our country.”
Senator Marsha Blackburn
News Channel 11 also reached out to Senator Bill Hagerty’s office for a statement but did not receive a response as of Wednesday afternoon. However, in a variety of social media posts, Hagerty has signaled continued support for Trump as a candidate.
Hagerty also announced his endorsement of Trump along with Blackburn and Harshbarger in April 2023.
Congressman Morgan Griffith represents Virginia’s 9th District, which includes all of Southwest Virginia. On Tuesday, Griffith told News Channel 11 in an interview that the primary was “essentially already over” before the New Hampshire results were in.
“The bottom line is on the Republican side, it’s over,” Griffith said. “President Trump will be the nominee in 2024.”
Despite losses in both Iowa and New Hampshire, Haley’s campaign has announced it will compete in South Carolina.
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