Utah Governor Is Latest Republican Acknowledging Biden’s Win – The Full List

“I just talked to the President-elect of the United States, Joe Biden,” former President George W. Bush said in a statement on Sunday, calling Biden a “good man who has won his opportunity to lead and unify our country.”

Bush’s brother, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush tweeted his congratulations and said he would “be praying for you and your success,” adding, “Now is the time to heal deep wounds. Many are counting on you to lead the way.”

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, who has said he wrote in Ronald Reagan instead of voting for Biden or Trump, tweeted, “Everyone should want our president to succeed because we need our country to succeed.”

Rep. Fred Upton (R-Mich.) broke ranks with his caucus and became the first sitting Republican House member to congratulate Biden – who controversially praised Upton during his 2018 reelection bid as “one of the finest guys I’ve ever worked with” – stating “I am raising my hand and committing to to work with Joe Biden.”

Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah.), who ran against Biden and President Barack Obama in 2012, tweeted that Biden and Harris are “people of good will and admirable character,” adding, “We pray that God may bless them in the days and years ahead.”

“Congratulations, President-Elect Joe Biden,” tweeted former Ohio Gov. John Kasich, one of Biden’s hundreds of Republican supporters, adding “I know you will do as you promised and be a president for the whole country.”

Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) pushed back on Republican claims of widespread fraud before congratulating Biden and stating, “Our nation deserves two competing parties who can work together when possible, and compete honorably when not.”

“Out of respect and in deference to the moment, I extend my congratulations to President-elect Biden,” tweeted Rep. Tom Reed (R-N.Y.), a member of the bipartisan problem-solvers caucus, adding, “We are ready to come together, work as one and help all Americans through the difficult times ahead.”

Vermont Gov. Phil Scott, who said he voted for Biden, put out a statement noting the “historic” nature of Kamala Harris becoming the first woman vice president-elect and adding, “it is my greatest hope they will be successful in uniting our country and leading us forward through these difficult times.”

Outgoing Rep. Will Hurd (R-Tex.), one of the most moderate members of the GOP caucus, tweeted, “America has spoken and we must respect the decision. More unites us than divides us; we can find common ground.”

“This election was hard-fought by both candidates and ultimately the voters chose them for the job,” tweeted Rep. Paul Mitchell (R-Mich.), who is also retiring, adding, “America now looks to you to lead our country and unite us for the common good.”

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker, who said he “blanked” his presidential ballot, tweeted, “This has been a long and divisive campaign, but now it is critical for us all to focus on the very real and immediate challenges facing this nation.”

Utah Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox, the incoming governor, wished Biden and Harris a “heart-felt congratulations” and said of a potential GOP senate, “there is hope for divided government. Both the Reagan and Clinton administrations proved that periods of divided control can be good for Americans.”

Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska) said he and Biden have “significant disagreements on the direction of our country” but that, “I wish the President-elect well in what will no doubt be the most challenging chapter of his political career.”

Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), who said in June she was “struggling” with whether to vote for Trump, congratulated Biden and Harris and said she would be “ready to work with their administration when it takes office.”

Retiring Rep. Francis Rooney (R-Fla.), who said in June he was considering a vote for Biden, called on Americans to “to come together to support Pres-elect Biden” and “enact bipartisan legislation & solve the problems our country faces.”

Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice congratulated Biden and Harris in a tweet, adding in a second tweet, “Now, let’s come together for the common good with empathy and respect for each other.”

In a statement to Forbes, Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) said “the handwriting is on the wall that Joe Biden has been elected as the next President,” adding that while Trump has “the right to challenge the results” he will “implore the President to take the high road once appeals are exhausted.”

Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), viewed as the most moderate Senate Republican, said in a statement that Biden “loves this country,” adding, “Presidential transitions are important, and the President-elect and the Vice-President-elect should be given every opportunity to ensure that they are ready to govern on January 20th.”

After making headlines on October for excoriating Trump in a tele-town hall, Sen. Ben Sasse (R-Neb.) told the Omaha World-Herald, ”Melissa and I congratulate the next president, Joe Biden, and the next vice president, Kamala Harris.”

Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.), who initially refused to acknowledge Biden as the victor when the election was first called for him, inched closer to acceptance by stating that a Biden presidency is “quite likely” – though not “100% certain” – and calling on Trump to kickstart the transition process, which he has thus far refused to do.

While maintaining Trump’s entitlement to “every legal opportunity to make his case,” Rep. John Curtis (R-Utah) said in a statement that “until a judicial decision determines wrongdoing, Joe Biden should be acknowledged as the President-elect,” encouraging him to be a “unifier and a president to all.”

Former Vice President Dan Quayle, who served under George H.W. Bush, the last incumbent president to lose reelection, told the New York Times it’s “time to move on,” adding, “I hope that there’s some sort of announcement from the White House sooner rather than later.”

Former Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), who served during the first two years of the Trump presidency, tweeted, “I congratulate President-elect Biden and wish him well as he organizes to lead our country,” expressing a desire to move “beyond demagoguery from either side of the aisle.”

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine stated flatly, “Joe Biden is the president-elect,” after initially congratulating him but stopping short of acknowledging his victory, instead arguing that all the results should be certified before a winner is declared.

In a Wall Street Journal op-ed, former George W. Bush strategist Karl Rove poured cold water on the idea recounts and legal battles would change the result, writing “the president should do his part to unite the country by leading a peaceful transition and letting grievances go.”

“Joe Biden is the President-Elect,” New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu said during a press briefing on Thursday, adding that he has “no indication of widespread voter fraud here in New Hampshire.”

The Center for Election Integrity, a bipartisan, 40-member group that includes Trump’s former Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats and former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, stated “the outcome of the election is clear,” calling Biden the president-elect and urging the administration to begin the transition.

Trump’s former National Security Adviser John Bolton has been prolific in calling on Republicans to get Trump to concede, while former White House Chief of Staff John Kelly said it’s “crazy not to” start the transition process.

“I expect Joe Biden to be the next president of the United States,” Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson said, adding that it’s “very important” Biden receive intelligence briefings because “during times of transition our enemies have an opportunity to take advantage of us.”

Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), one of Trump’s closest allies in the Senate, said, “This is my second transition where we move from one political party to another in the White House,” though he later backtracked and expressed support for Trump’s legal efforts.

Four other Trump-allies in the Senate acknowledged Biden’s victory: Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) referred to Biden as “president-elect,” Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) said it’s “increasingly likely” Trump will succeed, Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) said “it looks like it will be President Biden” and Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) said the president on Jan. 20th will “probably be Joe Biden.”

Outgoing Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.) “stopped short of using the term president-elect” in an interview with the New York Times, but “he presumed that Mr. Biden ‘would get the most votes from the Electoral College.’”

“They congratulated us heartily on our win,” Biden said after a meeting with the National Governors Association executive board, with includes outgoing Utah Gov. Gary Herbert – who called Biden “president-elect” in a statement – and Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, who released a statement not even mentioning Biden.