House Republican Conference chair Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y) withdrew her support for a GOP candidate in Ohio because he criticized Donald Trump.
“Earlier this week, I informed Craig Riedel (OH-09) that I will be withdrawing my endorsement. I was very disappointed in his inappropriate comments regarding President Trump, Stefanik wrote Thursday in a post on X/Twitter. “As we begin 2024, my focus is on ensuring we nominate the strongest candidates on the ballot who are committed to electing President Trump this November and expanding our House GOP Majority.”
Riedel is running for Congress in Ohio’s 9th congressional district. He’s up against MAGA candidate JR Majewski in the GOP primary.
Majewski, a pro-Trump hip-hop artist who promoted the QAnon conspiracy theory, lost the election to incumbent Democrat Marcy Kaptur in 2022 after it was revealed that he lied about his military record.
Riedel came under fire last month after he was heard on a leaked audio saying he doesn’t want Trump’s endorsement and called the former president “arrogant.” Riedel also said he did not like the way Trump communicates and “calls peoples names.”
Riedel endorsed Trump amid the controversy but it appears the damage was already done.
