Trump has fewer friends by the day in the Dairy State, which will host the 2024 Republican National Convention. This morning, Firing Line with Margaret Hoover shared an interview with Representative Mike Gallagher (R., Wis.), who reasserted his Trump opposition. Further, Gallagher shared his desire for a “non-Boomer candidate”:
After #January6th, GOP @RepGallagher said he could no longer support #DonaldTrump.
As Trump mounts a 2024 comeback bid and downplays the Capitol violence, does Gallagher stand by that position?
"I said two years ago that he lost my support. I'm not going to change that." pic.twitter.com/8aYk44h7UT
— Firing Line with Margaret Hoover (@FiringLineShow) March 10, 2023
Gallagher’s comments come only a few weeks after Paul Ryan said he would not attend the 2024 RNC if Trump is the nominee:
Former U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan from Wisconsin says he won't show up at the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee if former President Donald Trump is the nominee
Much more of our conversation Sunday on UPFRONT..@WISN12News @wispolitics pic.twitter.com/wp9ysKkwsC
— Matt Smith (@mattsmith_news) February 24, 2023
While some might scoff at a current House member and the former House speaker knocking Trump, it’s worth noting that Ryan and Gallagher have a history of winning — and seem to have an interest in winning more bigly in the future.
Ryan and Gallagher are potential candidates for taking on Senator Tammy Baldwin (D., Wis.) in 2024, and their comments reveal a fervent desire to avoid being shackled to the millstone of Donald Trump.
Whether establishment Republicans attacking Trump (while others pile onto the primary stage behind them) is a net benefit remains to be seen.