NRSC chair says he'll support incumbents over primary challengers

CBS NEWS ^ | jan 21 2021 | Adam Brewster

[Presbyterian Reporter]

Florida Senator Rick Scott, the new chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, said on Thursday that he'd support incumbent Senators if they face primaries, and that's the case even if fellow Florida Senator Marco Rubio were to face a primary challenge from Ivanka Trump.

There have been rumors that former President Trump's daughter might challenge Rubio in his bid for reelection in 2022. Mr. Trump has also said that he wants to to see South Dakota Senator John Thune, the number two Republican in the Senate, challenged in a primary.

"I'm supporting incumbents," Scott told reports when pressed on the issue multiple times. He also said that "nobody has talked to me" about the possibility of Ivanka Trump running a primary challenge against Rubio.

Scott said that he hasn't spoken with President Trump since he left office. He also defended his vote two weeks ago to object to counting the Electoral College votes in Pennsylvania.

As NRSC Chair, Scott is responsible for leading the GOP's effort to recapture the Senate. That would include keeping seats in North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin in the hands of Republicans. Republicans won't have incumbent candidates running in North Carolina or Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson hasn't said if he'll seek re-election. Republicans will also be targeting currently held Democratic seats in Arizona, Georgia, Nevada and New Hampshire.

Scott said he wants the election to "be about issues" and wants to see people focus on the "difference between Republicans and Democrats." He said it would be up to each Republican senator, including those up for reelection, to decide whether to vote to convict former President Trump. Republicans who vote to convict Mr. Trump could end up facing primary challengers backed by the former president.

[Chgogal]

Kiss Marco good-bye.

[Magnatron]

That’s okay Rick. We’re keeping score...

[monkeyshine]

Well frankly that is basically the job of the chairman, to protect the members' seats. They have been paying dues and fundraising, why belong to a party that will betray you? I understand challenges happen but this is a particularly precarious time. If she is going to run for Senate, she should challenge a Dem seat in a swing state, not go after Rubio. Trump has a highrise hotel (no casino) in Las Vegas, no state taxes there, I'm sure she can renovate the top floor for herself and family (it's probably 90% vacant now with Covid anyway, or she can surely buy herself a very nice home) and declare residency there. Spend the next 12 months perfecting her Spanish speaking skills, and challenge Senator Masto's (D-NV) seat. She is a one term Senator and former prosecutor I think, so Masto's name recognition can't be all that strong, especially compared to the Trump name which can be seen atop the building from just about anywhere in the Las Vegas Valley.

[Savage Rider]

I don’t mind getting primary opponents for RINOs or those that didn’t support the President. That said, I cut Scott some slack because Scott’s job, as Chair of the NRSC, is pretty much to get incumbents elected in the primaries because statistically there is a better chance that they will be elected.

[LibFreeUSA]

” Based upon the sentiment of Trump voters, its seems a bit foolhardy at this point for the Chair of the NRSC to be making blanket statements that RINO Incumbents are off limits. ”

TOTALLY AGREE!

[Keyhopper]

Ah, little marco. I would rather vote for a beach chair

[CPT Clay]

Yes, Mur Cow ski must go.

[pacificus]

By Rick, you barley survived Florida voter FRAUD, and now you pull this $hit!!!

You’re on the $hit list now!!!

Flush every backstabbing rino MF’R!!!

[CommerceComet]

The party and its officials should stay neutral in the congressional primaries, then fully back whoever wins.

[terart]

I would never vote for Ivanka no matter how much I love President Trump...I would take Eric or Don before that ...sorry I just don’t trust her. Despite what she saw happen to her Dad, I still believe she has way to much Democrat residual within her.

[Anima Mundi]

If he became Speaker of the house then the Biden/Harris team could be impeached and Trump would be President. This is what has been created now that the Dems have used impeachment as a political weapon. The bar has been lowered.

[Peter W. Kessler]

It’ll take a lot of money to support even the incumbent.

The Republican Party won’t have any.

Corporate bucks are going to the dems, and no conservative will send the NRSC / NRCC a dime.

The Republicans are putting the noose around their own necks.

All to, somehow, erase the memory of President Donald Trump.

Way to go, Stupid Party.

[Presbyterian Reporter]

“”””It’ll take a lot of money to support even the incumbent.

The Republican Party won’t have any.

Corporate bucks are going to the dems,””””

---

I am afraid you might be wrong.

The corporations are going to give huge bonuses to the RINO’s for removing Trump.

[Peter W. Kessler]

Yeah, I might be wrong.

But Trump won with small donations, in addition to his own money, and a low-buck campaign.

If half the 75 million Trump voters do nothing, that leaves 37.5 million supporters. If each of them coughs up $20.00, that’s a $740 million war chest. I’m sure Donald Trump would kick in $20.00.

I’m in for $20.00.

Heck, I’m in for $100.00!

[lakeman]

We understand Scott. Therefore we will starve the beast. NOT ONE PENNY TO THE GOPe.

[GeorgiaGeorgia]

No money!! Hopefully Trump will form a PAC or an organization to back conservatives and we send our money to him. Starve the beast.

[nickcarraway]

Ivanka didn’t switch from being a registered Democrat until October 2018.