Staff Reports
In some states, local Republican parties are not backing the incumbent candidates in tight races, causing disagreement with the national Republican Party. This indicates a shift towards more conservative candidates within the party.
One instance is in Nebraska, where the state GOP has chosen not to endorse any of the incumbents on the ballot. This includes incumbent Rep. Don Bacon, who has held his seat for four terms. The state party instead chose to endorse his primary opponent, Dan Frei, who is aligned with the House Freedom Caucus and leans further right.
Similarly, in Colorado, the state and national Republican parties are divided on selecting a candidate for a competitive seat held by a Democrat. The national party leans towards state Rep. Gabe Evans, while the state party prefers state Rep. Janak Joshi, who aligns more with conservative values.
In Nevada, the state Republican Party has not endorsed a rival to the candidate preferred by the national Republicans, signaling a shift toward more conservative choices.
This trend is attributed to the state parties aligning themselves with former President Donald Trump, who maintains a strong influence within the party. However, this shift towards more conservative candidates may result in decreased funding and influence for the state parties.
Republican strategist Jesse Hunt noted that state parties have undergone significant changes in recent years, leading them in directions that may not be conducive to successful outcomes. This could signal a larger transformation within the Republican Party, as state parties continue to move towards more conservative positions.
