House Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik was the bearer of bad news this week.
Stefanik (N.Y.) announced she is revoking her endorsement of former Ohio state lawmaker Craig Riedel’s bid for Congress over his reported criticism of former President 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, formerly known as 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 came under fire last month after leaked audio showed the Ohio lawmaker was not interested in Trump’s support.
In the audio, first obtained by the Charlie Kirk Show, Riedel was asked, “You’re not looking for a Trump endorsement, are you?”
“I’m not. We are not. Nope,” Riedel said.
When asked if he is “making it a point that you don’t want Trump’s endorsement,” Riedel could be heard answering “yep.”
He later goes on to say he dislikes the way Trump communicates and “calls peoples names,” and called the former president “arrogant.”
However, despite Riedel’s private comments he later chose to endorse Trump and touted his record.
Riedel is facing off against J.R. Majewski in the Republican primary. (RELATED: Republican Accused Of Stolen Valor Set To Receive Trump’s Endorsement)
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