Indiana delegate refuses to support Trump, backs out of convention
EVANSVILLE, Ind. (WISH) — An Indiana delegate said he will not support Donald Trump at the Republican National Convention, even though Trump won the popular vote in Indiana.
Joshua Claybourn says he will not vote for Trump. He’s considering not voting in the presidential race at all. His biggest concern is that Trump will redefine what it means to be a Republican and its image.
It’s not hard to find people who are loyal Trump supporters. It’s also not hard to find people who are unwavering against him.
“He’s not thinking too much into making sure he says the right thing. He’s saying what’s on his mind, which underlines sincerity,” said Martha Tucker.
“It’s a country. It’s not a business. You can’t run it like a restaurant or a gas station or a supermarket. I don’t think he’s the proper man for the job,” said Gerhard Rempel.
Republican National Chairman Reince Priebus has asked the party to unite behind Trump. But not everyone is on board.
“I look to people like Abraham Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, Dwight Eisenhower and Ronald Reagan. I just don’t think on police matters or temperament, Donald Trump fits in that group of people,” explained Claybourn.
Clabourn is from Evansville and he says he won’t be headed to Cleveland for the RNC.
“The convention will ultimately be a coronation celebration of Trump’s candidacy and frankly, I didn’t want to be a part of that,” he said.
Clabourn criticized the presumptive Republican nominee for being a flip-flopper, opposition to free trade and skepticism about Trump’s temperament. But if you ask supporters, that’s one of the draws.
“I think Trump says a lot of stuff that people want to say. So, I think that’s the big part where he’s real popular,” said Tony Tucker.
Or unpopular, depending on who you ask.
“Donald Trump won’t get my vote. I will vote against him every single time if I have to,” said Rempel.
We reached out to Trump’s Indiana Campaign, they said in part:
Anyone still making public statements opposing the Trump led movement has the right to do so, but, is clearly on the wrong side of history. Hoosier Republican voters sent a clear message to the entire nation that we overwhelmingly support Donald Trump for president.:
Leaders of the #NeverTrump movement have said they’re considering finding a third party candidate to run against Trump and the likely Democratic nominee, Hillary Clinton. “Never Trump” conservatives say they’re looking for an exit from the Republican party as it stands now.
The governor of Massachusetts, Charlie Baker, is one of the high-profile Republicans who says he will not vote for Trump.
“There are a number of issues I disagree vehemently with Mr. Trump, and I question whether he has the temperament to be president. But I think Secretary Clinton has some real believable issues,” said Baker.
Baker said he doubts he’ll vote for Clinton either.
Priebus said he has talked with Donald Trump about uniting the GOP in order to win the election in November.
“I think that’s very important to him, very important to me, in order to win. We can’t win with one arm tied behind our backs. We’ve got to have everything at the ready, and I think we will…I’m not naive. It will take some time. This was a very contentious battle,” said Priebus.
You can read the full statement from Indiana delegate Joshua Claybourn below.