Republican presidential candidate Chris Christie is blaming Donald Trump after another bad election night for Republicans even in deep red states.
In Kentucky, Democrat Andy Beshear defeated Trump-backed candidate Daniel Cameron to win a second term in the governor’s mansion. Trump had won the state by about 26 points in the 2020 presidential election, but Christie believes Cameron’s loss was because he chose to associate himself with the four-time indicted president.
“Daniel Cameron made a huge mistake by embracing Donald Trump and selling his soul to him. And that’s what he did,” Christie told CNN. “And the voters of Kentucky, a very red state, as you noted, gave their verdict on politicians who sell their soul to Donald Trump.”
“Cameron was a rising star in the Republican party until he decided to throw his lot in with Donald Trump,” he added. “Let’s face it, Donald Trump is political and electoral poison down ballot.”
Christie, who is challenging Trump for the GOP nomination for president in 2024 also blamed the former president for the party’s disappointing performance in elections since 2018.
“Down ballot, his endorsement has led to Republican defeats in the House — in the Senate, rather, and the House in ‘18. In ‘20, we lost the United States Senate and the White House. In ‘22, we underperformed miserably,” Christie said. “And tonight, you’re seeing us lose again.”
