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Trump sweeps House GOP leadership endorsements with Rep. Tom Emmer’s backing

By
Social Links for Diana Glebova
Published Jan. 3, 2024, 11:53 a.m. ET

House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) threw his support behind Donald Trump for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination Wednesday, solidifying congressional GOP leadership behind the former president.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La), Conference Chair Elise Stefanik (R-NY) and National Republican Congressional Committee Chair Richard Hudson (R-NC) all previously endorsed Trump in the Republican primary.

Emmer had previously indicated he might not endorse any candidate, and only announced his support after Scalise came out for Trump on Tuesday.

“Democrats have made clear they will use every tool in their arsenal to try and keep Joe Biden and his failed policies in power,” Emmer said on X. “We cannot let them. It’s time for Republicans to unite behind our party’s clear frontrunner, which is why I am proud to endorse Donald J. Trump for President.”

Emmer also endorsed Trump in 2016 and 2020, but the two have not had a smooth relationship recently.

The former president blasted Emmer when he was running for House speaker to replace Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) in October, calling him a “globalist RINO.” Emmer’s bid collapsed shortly after.

Tom Emmer has endorsed Donald Trump for three election cycles in a row. Tom Emmer/Instagram

The endorsements of Trump by Scalise and Emmer come less than two weeks before the Jan. 15 Iowa caucuses, where polls show Trump dominating his rivals.

The 77-year-old has 51.3% support in the Hawkeye State, well ahead of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (18.6%) and former Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley (16.1%), according to polling averages complied by RealClearPolitics.

Biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy is at 5.9%, while former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is at 3.7% and former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson has 0.7%.

President Donald Trump talks with U.S. Rep Jason Lewis (L) and Rep. Tom Emmer (C) as he arrives at Minneapolis ââ¬â Saint Paul International Airport for nearby fundraising and campaigning in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S. October 4, 2018.
President Donald Trump talks with Reps. Jason Lewis (from left) and Tom Emmer as he arrives at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport for nearby fundraising and campaigning in Minneapolis, October 4, 2018. REUTERS

Trump’s campaign hopes a blowout win in Iowa will demonstrate to Republican voters there is no other credible contender for the nomination, and are attempting to turn out as many new caucus-goers as possible to achieve that.

The former president’s rivals, meanwhile, want to get as close as possible in Iowa, with DeSantis insisting he can still win the state despite what the polls say.

Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), one of the strongest foreign policy voices in the Republican Party, also endorsed Trump on Wednesday, writing on X: “When Donald Trump was president, America was safe, strong, and prosperous. The economy was booming, working-class wages were growing, our border was secure, and our enemies feared us.

“With Joe Biden as president, everything has gone to hell: families can’t afford groceries, our border is wide open to a full-blown invasion, and our enemies are starting wars everywhere,” Cotton added. “I endorse President Trump and I look forward to working with him to win back the White House and the Senate so we can help hardworking Arkansans suffering from Joe Biden’s disastrous policies. It’s time to get our country back on track.”