Most Republicans Refuse To Publicly Concede Biden’s Win – In Private, It’s Another Story

Topline

As President Trump still won’t concede the election to President-Elect Joe Biden, most Republicans in Congress are either backing him publicly or remaining silent – but evidence suggests a considerable number of Republicans in Congress privately acknowledge Trump’s loss.

Key Facts

Crucial Quote

“I think even after Congress certifies the vote, there will be a significant number of Republicans that do not publicly acknowledge the president elect,” Riggleman told Forbes on Friday. “Based on some of the constituent bases for a few of these representatives, they will continue to say there was systemic fraud,” he predicted, adding, “I don’t know if we can change that.”

Key Background

A number of Republican senators who have stopped short of acknowledging Biden as president-elect have nonetheless admitted Biden is likely to win, including close Trump allies like Sens. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) and Rob Portman (R-Ohio).

Big Number

15. That’s how many Republican members of Congress have publicly congratulated Biden: 5 senators and 10 representatives. In addition, a half-dozen sitting governors, former President George W. Bush, former Vice President Dan Quayle and several former Trump administration officials have recognized his win. One sitting Trump administration official, NATO ambassador and former GOP senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, has as well.

Tangent

Biden wouldn’t say whether he’s reached out to or spoken with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell when asked by reporters on Friday, though he said of McConnell, “He knows me. He knows I’m as straight as an arrow when I negotiate. He knows I keep commitments and I never attempt to embarrass the opposition.”

Chief Critic

A major reason for Republican silence about the election is that Trump has displayed a willingness to retaliate against members of his party perceived as breaking with him. He has said he is “ashamed” to have endorsed Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, a staunch Trump ally who certified Biden’s win in his state, and hinted at backing a primary challenge to Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine after he called Biden “president-elect.”