There is no doubt as to who will secure the 2020 Republican nomination for president. On the same day as his inauguration in January 2016, in a rather unprecedented move, President Trump filed for re-election. A confident incumbent may declare their intentions long before a new campaign cycle, but this was early by far.
Going into 2019, the GOP can boast several accomplishments. After two years of majority rule in Washington, there have been some policy victories. But along with the wins have come a fair share of stalls and setbacks. If November’s midterm elections did one thing, they created a sliver of doubt within the Republican Party as to its future. Overall, voters placed the House back into the hands of Democrats and ensured congressional gridlock will be a main feature over the next two years.
Already, Trump has 2020 support from major party players including Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.; Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas; and Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. Still others, like Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, are not only withholding endorsements but suggesting that the addition of a primary challenger would be welcome.
The president’s popularity among his own, eager supporters remains high. Though they may sometimes question his antics, they appreciate his policies and allow that, above all else, to guide their decisions. Any GOP challenger would face certain defeat when pitted against the controversial incumbent. Despite this, a primary opponent would be beneficial in many ways.
Adding another option on the ballot would indicate that the Republican Party, for all its many faults, is not homogenous. Within the GOP exists uncomfortable voters who may or may not reluctantly support the incumbent on Nov. 3, 2020. They look to the Democrats and see no one who best represents them and their beliefs. But on the Republican side, they notice a tendency to forsake principles for party. Though voting for political adversaries on the left side of the aisle remains unthinkable, supporting those closest to you has become more difficult than ever. The ability to choose another Republican in the primaries would show those both inside and outside the party that not everyone is happy with the direction it has been heading.
According to reports, the Trump team is mounting a re-election campaign so closely aligned with the Republican National Committee that it “will make it only harder for would-be Republican opponents to mount a bid.” If so, this team, called “Trump Victory,” will be an official representation of what the GOP has been for quite a while: the party of Trump. Despite all the concerns a merger of this type brings, it is not surprising. In fact, it is yet another reason to consider introducing a challenger as a statement, albeit brief, against the GOP machine.
For a conservative like myself who went third party on Election Day in 2016, it was important to have a choice other than the two major party candidates. On a different scale, an official option besides Trump on the primary ballot would be no less refreshing even if that person did not get my vote, either. Yes, Trump is the inevitable GOP nominee for this next cycle, but that does not mean he has won, or will win, my support.
Undoubtedly, a Republican challenger would face mountains of ridicule in defying the president on his own turf. However, that in itself should not keep a qualified individual away from the process. A primary opponent’s only victory might be reminding a wayward party and leader that their unchecked domination is a problem. If so, it may be worth it.
Kimberly Ross (@SouthernKeeks) is a contributor to the Washington Examiner’s Beltway Confidential blog and a senior contributor at RedState.com.
