House Republican hopefuls are deleting President Donald Trump.
At least seven conservative candidates seeking a congressional seat have altered their websites to either tone down or delete references to Trump and Make America Great Again rhetoric, according to a Washington Post investigation Saturday.
“It’s easy to understand why those careening towards defeat are attempting to distance themselves from the President,” Rep. Suzan DelBene (D-WA) told the Post. “Voters are angry at Republicans for making their lives worse and are ready — if not outright eager — to reject them in November.”
Republicans caught removing Trump content include Mike Beltran in Florida, Ralph Alvarado in Kentucky, Joe Mitchell in Iowa, Eric Flores in Texas, Rep. Nick Begich in Alaska and Rep. Elijah Crane in Arizona.
While several of their campaigns denied an active effort to distance the candidate from the president, the Washington Post reported several reasons it might be a politically savvy move.
"Trump’s unpopularity threatens to turn off independent and moderate voters that Republicans will need to win in competitive congressional districts," the Post reported. "The president’s approval rating has hovered in the mid-30s, and he has faced pushback over an unpopular war in Iran."
In Arizona, Crane has pivoted away from declaring his opposition to "forever wars," "reckless government spending" and "Critical Race Theory," according to the report.
Now the Republican's website focus is on local issues — although his support for Trump is still prominent.
Jonathan Nez, a former Navajo Nation president running against Crane, told the Post what he thought of this shift, accusing his opponent of "callously trying to cover up his tracks.”