Lewd comments made by Trump 11 years ago have led some congressional Republicans to back away from the GOP nominee. The head of the state Republican Party says he’s not worried that Donald Trump may hurt efforts to increase GOP ranks in the General Assembly.
State GOP Chairman Brandon Bell says Trump’s recently publicized remarks about women are indefensible and unacceptable. But Bell said local voters can separate Trump from the issues backed by Rhode Island Republicans.
“I don’t see how you can relate Donald Trump’s candidacy to local Republicans,” said Bell. “There’s a message out there for good government, for lower taxes, getting rid of the car taxes.”
The head of Donald Trump’s Rhode Island campaign State Rep. Joe Trillo said he also doubts the latest controversy will hurt local Republican candidates.
Trillo said Trump’s remarks are troubling, but Trillo added local Trump supporters continue to back their candidate, due to the differences between him and Democrat Hillary Clinton.
“I don’t think anyone has tried to support what he said,” said Trillo. “I think everybody felt that they were concerned about that type of language and no one supported it. But I don’t think it’s lost him any support in Rhode Island, at least among the Republicans.”
Both Trillo and Bell say they’re not aware of any prominent local Republicans who have withdrawn support for Trump after his most recent controversy. U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan announced he would no longer campaign with Trump. Reports indicate Ryan is concerned about defending Republican seats in Congress.
