Ah, but plenty of people who WERE running for office promptly flip-flopped on Trump (being vehemently against him until the bitter end in 2016, then immediately switching to being a staunch MAGA ally when THEY were running for office), and all was forgiven by Trump's base. Notable examples include John Cox in California and Steve Lonegan in NJ.
Why do they get a pass while J.D. Vance doesn't?
A much more credible argument is Vance being on the Egg McMuffin backwagon AFTER the primary. Only a small percentage of 2016 NeverTrumpers drank THAT kool-aid.
Not by me. And after January 6th, after 40+ years of being a registered Republican, I changed my party affiliation to "no party," and won't ever vote again, in any election, until voter fraud is dealt with once and for all. I live in New York State, so it's not as if my vote counts anyway.