There were several purges in other primary seasons as well.
It’s usual here for primary/election seasons, but one hasn’t been begun here.....yet.
I doubt there will be a large scale purge this cycle it looks like it’s either Trump or Cruz (advantage Trump) both are acceptable to most here. Now if it’s Trump there might be a few Trump haters that will have bite their tongues for a couple of months. I’ve been very critical of Cruz but I’d back him in the general as long as he did not go wobbly on immigration.