RNC Chief Warns GOP Candidates: Endorse Trump

Reince Priebus says those who don't could face trouble if they run again
By Newser Editors,  Newser Staff
Posted Sep 18, 2016 2:50 PM CDT
RNC Chief Warns GOP Candidates: Endorse Trump
Reince Priebus, chairman of the Republican National Committee, during the final day of the Republican National Convention in July.   (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Republican National Committee chief Reince Priebus has had his issues with Donald Trump, but he's squarely behind the party nominee now and ordering Trump's former rivals to be the same. "Those people need to get on board," Priebus said on CBS News Sunday. His leverage? "If they’re thinking they’re going to run again someday, I think that we’re going to evaluate the process—of the nomination process and I don’t think it’s going to be that easy for them.” Priebus didn't name names, but Ted Cruz, Jeb Bush, and John Kasich are among those who have not backed Trump against Hillary Clinton.

All of the GOP candidates signed a pledge last year promising to endorse the party's eventual nominee, notes BuzzFeed. “People in our party are talking about what we’re going to do about this,” Priebus said. “I mean, there’s a ballot access issue in South Carolina. In order to be on the ballot in South Carolina, you actually have to pledge your support to the nominee, no matter who that person is. So what’s the penalty for that? It’s not a threat, but that’s just the question that we have a process in place.” (More Reince Priebus stories.)

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