The internal fight in the GOP between the MAGA movement and the Conservative, Inc. hacks has escalated with a recent announcement by former Vice President Mike Pence, who waded into the Arizona Gubernatorial fight and sided with Arizona Republican gubernatorial candidate Karrin Taylor Robson. In doing so, Pence essentially aligned himself against former President Donald Trump, who has endorsed Robson’s much more MAGA opponent, Kari Lake.
Pence did so, of course, in a statement to the mainstream media Washington Post, saying:
“As Arizona Democrats pursue the reckless Biden-Harris agenda, Karrin Taylor Robson is the only candidate for governor that will keep Arizona’s border secure and streets safe, empower parents and create great schools, and promote conservative values.”
Robson, for her part, cheered the endorsement in a statement to the Washington Post, saying:
“Modern politics is full of charlatans and fakes, but Vice President Pence is the genuine article. He has never wavered in his conservative beliefs and commitment to our Constitution, and left a rock-solid legacy as Governor to which I will aspire.”
She also commented on the endorsement in a Twitter post, saying:
I am honored to announce the endorsement of former Vice President
@Mike_PenceHe has been a warrior for the sanctity of Life; limited government; law & order; opportunity for all; & the knowledge that our freedoms are granted by God.
I’m proud to have him on my team. #AZgov
The Washington Post, describing the importance of that endorsement and what it signifies about the split between the different factions within the GOP heading into 2022, said, in its typically anti-Trump language:
The endorsement illustrates the division in the party between Trump supporters who value loyalty to him over all else and those who want to move on from endlessly litigating the 2020 election, including those who are grateful that Pence and other Republicans blocked Trump’s attempts to overturn the results. Trump and Pence, who are each thinking about running for president in 2024, both plan to be in Arizona on Friday to campaign for their chosen candidates ahead of an Aug. 2 primary.
And so the fight for the Arizona gubernatorial race has turned into something of a proxy fight between the MAGA side of the GOP and the Conservative, Inc. types, with Pence and Trump’s fight coming to the fore as the respective candidates of the two are pitted against each other in a knockdown, drag-out fight of a primary.
Trump, for his part, endorsed Kari Lake in September of 2021, saying:
Kari Lake is running for Governor in the Great State of Arizona. She is a fantastic person who spent many years working as a highly respected television anchor and journalist. Because of this, few can take on the Fake News Media like Kari. She is strong on Crime, will protect our Border, Second Amendment, Military, and Vets, and will fight to restore Election Integrity (both past and future!). She is against Covid lockdowns, Cancel Culture, and will end “woke” curriculum in our schools. She will do a far better job than RINO Governor Doug Ducey—won’t even be a contest! Kari will make her wonderful family, and the MAGA movement, very proud. Kari Lake has my Complete and Total Endorsement. She will be a great Governor for the incredible people of Arizona!
This story syndicated with permission from Will, Author at Trending Politics
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