Sen. Ben Sasse, a Nebraska Republican, said Sunday that he is unlikely to support real estate developer Donald Trump in a general election.
“If Trump becomes the Republican nominee my expectation is that I’ll look for some 3rd candidate — a conservative option, a Constitutionalist,” Sasse tweeted Sunday night.
If Trump becomes the Republican nominee my expectation is that I’ll look for some 3rd candidate – a conservative option, a Constitutionalist
— Ben Sasse (@BenSasse) February 29, 2016
Sasse, a conservative former university president, has previously been sharply critical of Trump’s views, arguing the former reality television star does not embrace the conservative principles of limited government and liberty.
Sasse becomes the most prominent congressional Republican to announce plans to deny Trump his support.
“Christians — recognizing threats vs religious liberty — are unwilling to support candidate who doesnt offer full-throated defense” of the First Amendment, Sasse added.
“A presidential candidate who boasts of what he’ll do during his ‘reign’ & refuses to condemn the KKK cannot lead the conservative movement,” Sasse said.
During a Sunday appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Trump declined to denounce the white supremacist Ku Klux Klan.
Sasse spoke up hours after Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., became the first senator to endorse Trump.
