Republican lawmakers have said that many GOP voters are moving away from former President Trump as they doubt that he can win the presidential election in 2024 after the disappointing midterm election. In the 2022 midterm election, a number of high-profile Trump-endorsed candidates lost key competitive races which have led to many thinking that Trump does not have the necessary appeal to win over moderate GOP voters and independent voters.
Some have also pointed to Trump’s legal woes and recent gaffes as possible things that his rivals can use against him in the 2024 primary.
Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) pointed out in recent remarks that for general elections to be won it is necessary to bring in the independents. He added that they also needed to have more than just a loyal base if they wanted to get the necessary votes in order to win a general election. This is what will drive their decision on who the next candidate will be.
Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) similarly noted that Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign launch did not draw in the necessary traction which might in part be because he has continued to claim that the reason he lost the presidential election was due to widespread fraud.
