Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) denounced attempts by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee to influence Republican primaries across the country by supporting controversial, election-denying, and Trump-endorsed candidates in the hope that they will be easier to defeat come November.
Previously, Kinzinger called the strategy “disgusting,” said host Brianna Keilar.
Standing by his former characterization Wednesday on CNN, he said: “If [Rep. Peter Meijer’s] opponent wins and goes on to November and wins, the Democrats own that. Congratulations.”
“Here’s the thing. Don’t keep coming to me asking, ‘Where are all the good Republicans that defend democracy?’, and then take your donors’ money and spend half a million dollars promoting one of the worst election-deniers that’s out there,” Kinzinger said.
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“The DCCC needs to be ashamed of themselves,” he said.
He did note that not all of his Democratic colleagues were supportive of the questionable tactic. “Thankfully, some members of Congress, Democrats, have spoken out and said they’re disgusted. I respect it,” he said.
“I have spoken out against the National Republican Congressional Committee many times when they have done things I’ve disagreed with. And there are also people who say, ‘Well, this is just politics.’ How cynical that is and that’s why the Americans are just sick of both parties, to be honest with you,” the congressman said.
John Gibbs, a candidate for Michigan’s 3rd Congressional District who boasts an endorsement from former President Donald Trump, defeated incumbent centrist Republican Rep. Peter Meijer, according to projections from Tuesday night’s primary election.
Gibbs edged out Meijer by just a few percentage points, drawing the ire of many who blame the DCCC’s less-than-savory tactics.
The two candidates contrasted greatly, as Meijer was one of just 10 Republicans in the House of Representatives to vote to impeach Trump after the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.
Meijer did not respond to the Washington Examiner’s request for comment.
On Aug. 1, Meijer wrote an article for journalist Bari Weiss’s Substack newsletter, slamming the Democrats for their tactics. “The Democrats are justifying this political jiu-jitsu by making the argument that politics is a tough business. I don’t disagree,” he said. “But that toughness is bound by certain moral limits: Those who participated in the attack on the Capitol, for example, clearly fall outside those limits. But over the course of the midterms, Democrats seem to have forgotten just where those limits lie.”
While some blame the Democrats’ meddling for Meijer’s loss, others believe he got what was coming to him.
“Peter Meijer did not lose bc Dems spent a few thousand dollars. He’s rich and spent $4 million in the race. He lost bc he voted to impeach Trump, red flag laws, the J6 committee, co-sponsored putting gender identity in civil rights law, and other things unpopular with GOP voters,” wrote strategist Greg Price.
Peter Meijer did not lose bc Dems spent a few thousand dollars. He’s rich and spent $4 million in the race. He lost bc he voted to impeach Trump, red flag laws, the J6 committee, co-sponsored putting gender identity in civil rights law, and other things unpopular with GOP voters.
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) August 3, 2022
However, columnist Amanda Carpenter of The Bulwark disagreed. “Just a reminder the DCCC spent more boosting the Trump-backed Joe Gibbs over the impeachment-voting Peter Meijer than Gibbs raised himself during his entire campaign,” she said.
Just a reminder the DCCC spent more boosting the Trump-backed Joe Gibbs over the impeachment-voting Peter Meijer than Gibbs raised himself during his entire campaign.
— Amanda Carpenter (@amandacarpenter) August 3, 2022
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“Dems boosted Peter Meijer’s election-denying extremist opponent in Michigan — despite Peter having the courage and principle to vote to impeach Trump at great personal cost. Remember this when Dems talk about defending democracy,” former presidential candidate Andrew Yang said.
Dems boosted Peter Meijer’s election-denying extremist opponent in Michigan – despite Peter having the courage and principle to vote to impeach Trump at great personal cost. Remember this when Dems talk about defending democracy.
— Andrew Yang?⬆️?? (@AndrewYang) August 3, 2022
