The Story:
Congressman Anthony Gonzalez (R – OH) was one of a group of 10 Republicans in the House of Representatives who voted yes on the (second) impeachment of President Trump, days after the Capitol Hill riot January 6. He is in his second term, and recently announced that he will not be seeking a third.
Background:
Former President Trump has been working of late to unseat those Republicans in Congress who were in his view inadequately loyal to his administration.
It should be said: Congressmen don’t have any duty of loyalty to an administration, of their own party or another. Their duty is in the first instance to their country, and in the second instance to their own constituents.
Max Miller announced in February that he would challenge Gonzalez in the Republican primary for the 2022 nomination for Gonzalez’ 16th district seat. Gonzalez’s withdrawal leaves the path open for Miller to get that nod, though Miller will of course have a Democratic opponent next fall.
The Thing to Know:
Gonzalez, in announcing that he will not run, said plausibly (he has two young children) that he wants to spend more time with his family. But he also acknowledged that what he calls the “toxic dynamics” inside the Republican Party was a factor in his decision.
