(ReclaimingAmerica.net) – Following the January 6 Capitol riot, 10 GOP House members voted to impeach former President Donald Trump for “incitement of insurrection.” In the year since Trump was acquitted in the Senate impeachment trial, the ten lawmakers have been ostracized, three of whom have declined reelection bids and the others are facing Trump-backed primary opponents.
For the seven who are seeking reelection, whether they fail or succeed during the bid will be an indicator of Trump’s influence in the GOP.
Rep. Anthony Gonzalez (R-OH)
In September 2021, Gonzalez announced he would not be seeking reelection. The Ohio congressman said threats towards his family following his impeachment vote had played a role in his decision, coupled with his recent disillusionment in the GOP following Trump’s actions.
Rep. John Katko (R-N.Y.)
The New York Republican announced he wouldn’t be seeking reelection earlier in the month. His vote to impeach Trump added to a long list of why he drew the former President’s ire. Katko has supported President Biden’s bipartisan infrastructure bill, negotiated to form the independent commission on the Capital riots, and voted to remove Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA.) in February of last year.
Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL)
Kinzinger announced in October that he would not be seeking reelection in this year’s midterms following the Democrat-led states redistricting process, making Kinzinger’s district friendlier to Democrats.
Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI)
Although Upton, a longtime Michigan lawmaker, will likely run in this year’s midterms, the Congressman has not yet announced a reelection bid. However, in a tweet published in December, Upton touted “bipartisan consensus putting policy over politics” as what would help him win reelection if he were to run.
Rep. Peter Meijer (R-MI.)
Days after being sworn in for his first term in Congress, Meijer voted to impeach Trump. Although the Michigan Republican is seeking reelection, the primary could be challenging as his district has become friendlier to Democrats following Michigan’s redistricting process.
Rep. Liz Cheney (R-WY.)
After voting with the former President 93% of the time, Cheney, Wyoming’s only representative, began a vocal criticism of Trump leading up to the Capitol riot and during the January 6 attack on the Capitol. Following her vote, she stepped down from her role as chairwoman of the Republican Conference but was appointed to the select committee responsible for investigating the events of January 6.
Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA.)
During this year’s midterm elections, the six-term Washington state lawmaker faces several primary challengers, including Joe Kent, a GOP challenger backed by Trump. After casting her vote to impeach Trump, Herrera Beutler detailed a call between the former President and Congressman Kevin McCarthy where Trump castigated McCarthy for not sharing the same anger at the election results as rioters were.
Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA.)
Newhouse will seek reelection in the 4th District but won’t face any Trump-backed challengers despite several primary opponents.
Rep. David Valadao (R-CA)
Valadao will be facing multiple challengers in the newly drawn Democratic-leaning 22nd District.
Rep. Tom Rice
A surprise vote, Rice’s vote to impeach Trump was seen by many of his colleagues as an accident. But the South Carolina Representative would squash those ideas when he went on record saying he regretted voting against certifying Biden’s victory. Now, Rice faces at least ten primary challengers.
