Liz Cheney and the Fate of the 10 Republicans Who Defied Trump
Representative Liz Cheney of Wyoming, one of the 10 House Republicans who voted to impeach President Donald J. Trump over the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021, will face Republican primary voters on Tuesday. Mr. Trump made it his vengeful mission to force these Republicans out of Congress. And he has largely been successful: Seven have either been defeated in primary races or chose not to run again at all. Only two have survived their primaries, and Ms. Cheney is the last whose fate is yet to be decided.
Here are the details about how each of those lawmakers have fared.
Facing a Primary on Tuesday
Primary on Aug. 16, 2022
Representative Liz Cheney
Wyo. At-Large District
Primary on Aug. 16, 2022
When it came time to vote on impeachment, Ms. Cheney explained her decision by saying Mr. Trump’s role in the insurrection caused “death and destruction in the most sacred space in our Republic.” She forcefully leaned into that position for the next 18 months.
The Three Who Lost Their Primaries
Lost Aug. 9, 2022
Representative Jaime Herrera Beutler
Wash. Third District
Lost Aug. 9, 2022
Mr. Trump endorsed Joe Kent, an Army Special Forces veteran, in the primary against Ms. Herrera Beutler, and she conceded defeat.
Lost Aug. 2, 2022
Representative Peter Meijer
Mich. Third District
Lost Aug. 2, 2022
Mr. Meijer was narrowly ousted in a Republican primary this month by John Gibbs, a former Trump administration official whom the former president endorsed.
Lost June 14, 2022
Representative Tom Rice
S.C. Seventh District
Lost June 14, 2022
Mr. Rice campaigned twice for Mr. Trump. He voted twice for Mr. Trump. When he decided that the Capitol riot was inexcusable, his opponent was endorsed by Mr. Trump. That challenger, Russell Fry, a state lawmaker, defeated him.
The Four Who Will Retire
Announced April 5, 2022
Representative Fred Upton
Mich. Sixth District
Announced April 5, 2022
Mr. Upton decided to walk away from Congress after more than 30 years rather than face a Trump-endorsed primary challenger in a negative, expensive campaign while enduring death threats.
Announced Jan. 14, 2022
Representative John Katko
N.Y. 24th District
Announced Jan. 14, 2022
Mr. Katko’s impeachment vote, plus his support for other bipartisan bills, infuriated the right wing of his party. Almost exactly one year after his impeachment vote, Mr. Katko said he would forgo a re-election campaign.
Announced Oct. 29, 2021
Representative Adam Kinzinger
Ill. 16th District
Announced Oct. 29, 2021
Mr. Kinzinger announced his retirement amid death threats from voters and hostility from Republican colleagues. Like Ms. Cheney, he has taken a front-and-center role on the committee investigating Mr. Trump’s role in the Capitol riot.
Announced Sept. 16, 2021
Representative Anthony Gonzalez
Ohio 16th District
Announced Sept. 16, 2021
Mr. Gonzalez was the first casualty of this group when he said in September that he had been deluged with threats, feared for the safety of his wife and children, and would retire rather than face a ferocious primary.
The Two Still Standing
Advanced Aug. 5, 2022
Representative Dan Newhouse
Wash. Fourth District
Advanced Aug. 5, 2022
Mr. Newhouse outlasted his Trump-endorsed opponent thanks largely to an open primary system in Washington in which candidates of every party run in a single qualifying contest, with the top two vote-getters advancing to the general election in November.
Advanced June 24, 2022
Representative David Valadao
Calif. 22nd District
Advanced June 24, 2022
Mr. Valadao is the unicorn of this bunch: Despite calling Mr. Trump “without question, a driving force in the catastrophic events” at the Capitol, he avoided being personally targeted by the former president.
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